This is true. Stef at the moment is reminding me of when Ben Westwood was in his final season with us. We admire and respect them for how excellent they have been over many years, and it's always good to have them around, but time catches up with everyone. As Ratticus said in an earlier comment, Stef is still there if we need him in an emergency, but with fine young players coming through, the times when we will need Stef are now becoming less frequent.

I’ll be honest I’m up for this game. I have a lot of confidence in this side. If Stef plays or not I hope he’s touching that cup.

Up the wire.

Defend as we did against Catalans, and the world's our lobster. We'll always create chances especially on the roomy pitch at Wembley, gotta think Dufty, Ashton et al will relish it. Flip side, so will French and Field if we let them.

Just need to keep calm and trust the process and all will be well. NTW!

Thewlis has kicked very solidly this season, Ratchford is only marginally better than him and therefore doesn't play unless we have injury problems.

I'm confident we'll win this game, but we'll lose it should the match day squad worry over the competence of our goalkicker. They won't be worried about, and nor will I.

We need to shut down Smith and French quickly - Smith controlling the game and kicking and French for being generally dangerous. I don't really worry too much about Field. I saw a post recently comparing his stats to Dufty and he didn't come anywhere close, especially in line breaks, tackle busts and metres. Other than that, control the ruck and i think we will win this.

It's sod's law though that he'll suddenly pop up tomorrow and have a stormer. Hopefully not, obviously! And with any luck, Marshall isn't 100%.

Starting 13 as expected.

Bench
Musgrove
Powell
Bullock
Crowther

No Holroyd

Shame for Holroyd, great news for Bullock. Hope Musgrove makes the most of the faith put in him.

Personally I’d start to be looking at Holroyd ahead of Crowther in the pecking order.

You are spot on mate, Crowther is not good enough for a top team. 100% player but doesn’t have the attributes that are required.