That’s a fare point. I thought myself he was loafing. Running at him from acting half back might eventually knacker him out. Like we Monas did on Paliasena in that CC semi vs Pies.

Catalans have a huge pack (I think). We need 3 big forwards on the bench at least.
Philbin, BMM and Latu with Matt Davis to cover if required at hooker?

Can you find me where’s it been announced he has Covid? Price said ‘personal reasons’.

Originally 6 players were identified as needing to isolate. On the 4th September it was anounced that a seventh player had tested positive and, despite not showing symptoms, needed to isolate. When the team was announced it appeared that this seventh player was Widdop.

If Widdops family have indeed gone home, isnt it feasible that he accompanied them on the journey and has had to self isolate on return?

I guess naming him in the squad and being pictured at training during the lead up to the game probably does make it in-feasible.

Add in as mentioned earlier in the thread that they returned home six weeks or more ago then it's even more in-feasible.

I guess I'd go with him getting a positive test result on game day two Friday's ago and thus not being able to train in the lead up to this week's game as the reason he was not being selected. I suspect, as Price has said Widdop will play next week, he was asymptomatic in respect of Covid.

And when Price was asked why Widdop was missing for the Hull game on Sky he said ‘personal reasons’.

I'm not d if he's missed 2-3 weeks, if he's back this week and will see out the season before he leaves he goes with my Blessing. If his family are unhappy and struggling and want to go home let them go home. It's life and family comes first simple as.
As for Latu, in the 2 games i've seen him play he's been miles better than any prop we've signed in 4+ years. I was surprised he was left out aswell, Hill, cooper starting with Philbin and Latu coming off the bench is a big positive for me.

And so it is...how is it right to discus someone else’s condition or business. What does it matter? Wire is winning.

Just as well, given Red Vee's reaction to Saints playing Percival.

Friday is deadline day apparently in terms of player recruitment. According to Price there will be no new faces so that suggests no early Inglis arrival and no Widdop leaving early either. https://www.totalrl.com/steve-price-on- ... this-week/

Friday is deadline day apparently in terms of player recruitment. According to Price there will be no new faces so that suggests no early Inglis arrival and no Widdop leaving early either. https://www.totalrl.com/steve-price-on- ... this-week/

If GW did seek a contract break, it wouldn’t affect Wire’s dominance. We don’t need a hb, although i hope we are looking at recruiting a decent prop for when we lose BBM and Akouala (perhaps).

Does this deadline also apply to signing players down under?

OK I'll bite for fun - wel sort of.
Sod all on tv anyway.......

First of all I agree we need at least one good prop unless one of the youngsters is thought to be good enough. Akauola is out of favour big time. Latu is clearly not seen in a favourable light either (although I thought he did ok in his 2 matches). The issue appears to be that there aren't that many good props available - same situation as last year - hence the Latu signing.

'Wires dominance' - mmm - we're on a good run but this is not a normal season and the rule changes help us, but as I understand it, they are temporary.
I get the feeling we've stumbled on this good form - yes a lot of hard work has ben put in, but I've yet to understand why we were so dire and inept last year when SP semed to have no idea about how to fix it even though he said he did.
I'll believe in Wire dominance when we win the GF this year and next (but would settle for one!) and score tries for fun. For me the 2011/12 team we had was the closest we've come to dominance. Over 1000 points scored and great attractive rugby.
Wigan and Bradford are the 2 sides that I can think of as having had dominance - the Pies last century only because they had a full time squad stuffed with internationals and the best players from the UK, plus half decent coaches.
Leeds won GFs, but often it was from a lower placing (how I would have loved it if Peacock had accepted our offer).

Who would we put in at h/b instead of GW ?
I assume you mean Ratch (Patton out at the end of the season and Dean not yet ready) and Austin being full back.
It possibly works for the team, but from what I've seen it's his 3rd best position - behind full back and loose.
Time will tell.

Just to confirm, Ratchford is stifled at half back.