I think Riley is to be dropped, as his 2 opposite numbers dominate him, and i think we need a stronger defence rather than Rileys attacking potential. Hicks Bridge Atkins King are a safer bet than Riley IMHO, not knocking Riley, hes been class all year, but against Saints, id rather play the percentage game and remain that bit more solid at the back.

I agree 100% with this.

Smith really has some great problems for Friday I can see Bridge playing a major role, real boost to be able to rest the big guns after Wembley it worked great with Morley in the season coming back fresh and am sure it will have done Westwood the world of good.

Don't really have any worries about us for Friday whatever team is out there will be very strong and more then good enough to beat Saints on paper, we seem to be able to go up a level at times and also the fact we are unbeaten under Smith in knockout rugby its a boost, what worries me is the heavy rain which is forecast for Friday and the players which make things happen and step up like Roby did last time.

If Eastmond and Lomax don't make it then that will be a massive boost but I think at least one will play, taking them, Wellens, Cunningham and Roby out and stoping them getting a roll on is the key but we also need to win the battle up front an Saints have Fa'asavalu and Soliola back to add to Puletua and Graham which is very strong.

For most of the time while reading this thread I was thinking drop Riley on account of the opposing wingers - but I would much rather Saints worried about OUR team rather than us about theirs. For that reason

1. Mathers
2. Riley
3. Atkins
4. King
5. Hicks
6. Briers
7. Monas
8. Morley
9. Clarke
10. Carvell
11. LAnderson
12. Westwood
13. Harrison

14. Wood
15. Solomona
16. VAnderson
17. Bridge

They may worry about our team, and in doing that they will try to find a weaker target, and IMO that would be Riley. Mathers too possibly, but i have new found faith in him after Wembley, really stepped up. If Mathers gets settled in that first 10 minutes he will be solid again, but if its p*ssing down and he drops a high ball, i just hope he can regain his focus.

Ultimately though, ISWT.

myler should play bridge on bench as cover

I think we need to go all out for the win and I’m sure Smith will do so. The three main reasons for this are:

(i) You don’t want to put yourself in a position where you can be eliminated next week
(ii) You definitely want to put Saints in the position where they can be eliminated by one of the Hull sides before the semis (as unlikely as that may be)
(iii) You want to bury the Saints “hoodoo” ASAP and don’t still want it hanging over us in an elimination game or a final.

It’s about playing the percentages.

With that in mind, and with a “horses for courses” mentality, I can see Smith leaving Myler out again and putting Bridge in the halves. This will allow him to leave our very effective three-quarter line intact and let Monas play at 9 where he should be. He’d have hooking backup from Clarke and then, for me, it becomes a straight choice between Vinnie or Higham for the last bench spot. Personally, I’d choose Vinnie for that place but can accept that it could go another way, e.g. if Smith wants to use Higham as reserve hooker with Clarke coming on at 13 or in the second row from the bench.

As Magic Piano has said, we shouldn’t be worrying too much about covering Saints’ threats. Smith will have got all that covered in the video sessions from the last time we played them and their last couple of games and it’s not like we don’t know where they’re dangerous. I’d like us to focusing on where we’re going to punch holes in their defence and come up with some good set moves and clever ploys.

I just hope it doesn’t lash it down again. It only takes a few high bombs to get put down early on and players could start to lose confidence.

Incredible that we have the depth to leave out challenge cup winner isn't it?

We always hear this they will both play more than likely.

Round 1
1)Wigan v Leeds
2)Saints v Wire
3)Hull FC v Hull KR
4)Huddersfield v Crusaders


Im thinking Hull FC are more than capable of putting in a big game and Hull KR are a bit of a bogey team for Saints, so potentially knocking out Saints at Knowsley Road could give them a game they may not get past.
I would take that.
Huddersfield are also capable of beating Saints with just the Crusaders being the team i would expect them to get past without any drama.

I would rather us beat them in the 1st game rather than risk some potential fairy tale game that may never happen, plus that extra game is 80 minutes more of potential injury for whoever is in it.

All away wins? You'd win some money for that!

Mathers
Hicks
King
Atkins
Riley
Briers
Myler
Morley
Monas
Carvell
LAnderson
Westwood
Harrison

Clarke
Wood
Solomona
Bridge

Either that, or the exact same team from wembley.