We are the Wire ,have we got it in us to win the necessary number of play off games ,a play off semi ,a GF & Wembley?

I think other teams will have a few things to say about our end of season achievements.

Select our strongest team, simple decision.

Not convinced though that our strongest team isn't Evans back in the centre with Penny on the wing though.

Bench for me is Dwyer, GKing, Bailey, Westwood.

Couldnt agree more.

Penny needs to be in this team right now, T.King (it sounds awful) shouldnt be. If Lineham isn't in the reckoning then our 3/4 line should be Penny, Evans, Atkins & Russel.

I think there were more than 2 x 1St teamers missing from the 2012 game V harlequins the week before Wembley. IIRC Hodgson and Briers did not play v quins
Higham, Carvell, McArthy and Westwood all missed this game but played at Wembley . There were a fair amount of changes but we still should have beat them with what we had on the pitch. It was like watching a pre season friendly and I don't see this weekend being any different.

That's if penny is fit after the stretcher was needed last week in the reserves. I can only assume his hamstring hasn't been right yet, maybe it was a worse tear than we thought. It can't be down to performance he has been good when he has played this season.

True enough. But if Penny hasn't been fit since his leg went I'd rather Smith say he wasnt fit as opposed to coming out with the bull that he wasnt in form.....even the most anti-Penny supporter out there would admit he's our best winger!!

Shouldn't Tony Smith select his best 17 and tell them they are playing for there Wembley shirt?
Surely he is not going to just say have a week off guys... Hope he does as we CAN still make the top 4, and are playing some good stuff atm. If your best 17 are playing could be a cracker.

Be interesting how the weather affects this match. Supposed to be wet & windy on Saturday.

Ben Harrison and Joel Monaghen were also rested, so roughly half of our 1st team. After the debacle I remember TS saying that the side he picked was capable of winning the match - which I would agree, but the side that turned up was less than enthusiastic.

I think TS will play his strongest side. Perhaps Cox will get back to the bench as it would ensure we keep him match fit for the rest of the S8's.

Wasn't there a big outcry from the fans about travelling to London to watch the reserve ? Superleague admission prices should justify the strongest possible team on the pitch.

Yes, I think there was. In fact I think was the reason TS said the side chosen was capable of winning the game. It all blew over when we won the following week.

I definitely agree with that, I'm not anti penny at all. It could be form if penny doesn't trust hid hamstring and is holding back? Its all ifs, buts and maybes really. There must be a good reason for him not playing though.

I do hope we are in the market for a winger or 2 anyway. I'm not convinced by anyone we have other than penny.

It doesn't matter who plays v Cas, Penny in or not. The team that played at wakey +Bailey minus Wilde or B Evans will play at Wembley.

Winning at Wembley is the monkey on our back so I'll do you a deal. You give us the CC next week and you can have the GF...yeah?!

Nar