Russell playing, Westerman to sit this one out. Benny Westwood starts, Philbin on bench.

Presumably with Ormsby LW?

Oh I wish people would try and stop putting Ratchford in the halves. It doesn't work with him in there. Square peg round hole. He is a flair player however he does not have the know how to dominate play and move his troops around from the half back position ala Kurt Gidley.

Gene the 2nd to sit out. So i'm told.

The suggestion was one from the point that I am against moving folk about when there are clearly players who are available. I don't like shuffling when one change will do.

There appears to be no firm place for Ratchford this season and so a slot opens at FB. If I suggest the slot at SH, I understand that the SH slot is again a 3 way shuffle and again I don't like it.

For it's the Ratchford or Johnson option to replace Russell?

Longbarn Wire is always, always right with his team selections, so the team is

Russell
Penny Atkins Evans Lineham
Sandow Gidley
Hill Clark Sims
Hughes Currie
Westwood

Ratchford, Cox, King, Philbin.

That team should win, but it's sport so who knows. Looking forward to it from the comfort of my armchair.

After all that lets hope victory is ours

He certainly seems to be spot on with his team's, although perhaps this week could be when he gets the bench wrong.

I'd play the team like Ronseal. Play them exactly what it's says on the tin.
Gidley FB
Ratchford SO
Sandow SH

Ratchford is no SO, I could do a better job there than him and i'm sh.....rubbish!

Doesn't matter what it says on the tin, the proof is in the pudding. Even the most blinkered one eyed Wire hating opposition fans are starting to agree that whether by luck or design the Sandow/Gidley partnership is currently the best halfback pairing in the league (and I bet there aren't all that many better in the NRL too). Why would we change that to cover a position when we have Penny who has proved more than capable at fullback.

I'm getting tired of this Ratch to SO business. If anywhere he needs to be centre, never a half for me, but i'm bored of reading the same arguments. As far as tonight goes, that team should be beating (comfortably) a Wigan team missing, Bateman, Gelling and Flower.

and Tomkins, and Williams.

Said in another thread. Worst Wigan side we've faced in years. Should win comfortably.

In fact, and this is credit to Ape Man, but if it wasn't "Wigan", you'd be looking at a 20+ scoreline.

and Tomkins, and Williams.

And Michael McIlorum...

Both sides have key players out, should be a very entertaining game.... Still favour you guys, but only just.