Clarke was putting in some belting hits

Based on what I've read and seen I think a lot of players are playing with some form of knock or injury.
Clearly Sandow and Evans will be out but it depends on the recovery of others. Given that most played 3 matches in 7 days its asking a lot to continue to put top class performances in when still trying to recover. Surprised that westermann was back.
Probably light sessions only this week and tactic practice.

I'd have thought Clark needs a rest and Hill does as well but I've been calling for Hill to have a game off for about two years and I don't think he's missed a single game or put in a bad performance. So what do I know eh? Maybe save their rests until Hudders the week after.

Currie to centre and bring Westerman into the starting lineup
Patton to 7 (I think he'll really benefit from having Gidley alongside him)
Is it about time Ben Evans got a run out? He's fit as far as I know. Philbin on to the bench if not.

When we want to rest Clark and Hill start Ratch and Cox in their places. On a side note can anyone actually tell me the last time Hill missed a game? The man is a machine.

Whens Ryan Bailey going to be available for selection?

It's all gone a bit quiet on that score - thought he was supposed to be available for round three unless he's had a setback?

Bailey said on Rugby AM that he would be back in about two weeks - and that was filmed last week at the Widnes game. I imagine he might get a run in the reserves first though.

Hill did sit out the whole second half v Cas the other week, but he's done an awful lot since then. When is our first cup involvement? Hopefully with a favourable draw a few can have a break then.

A few weeks off yet, weekend of 7/8th May.

Waiting for Saddened to pipe up and tell us all that next week we could turn up with Rylands under 10s and still put 50 on Saints.. Same as every year..

If it was almost any other team next Friday I'd be tempted to make wholesale changes and all but sacrifice the game giving most of the squad a weeks rest, but this is Saints!

I'd leave Ratchford in the halves with Gidley and have Westerman coming off the bench to spell Clarke.

Russell
Lineham
Jullien / Currie
Atkins
Penny
Ratchford
Gidley
Hill
Clarke
Sims
Hughes
Currie / Jullien
Westwood

Westerman
Cox
G King
Philbin

A win against Saints and we would be in a good solid position on top of the table. We could afford to lose one and remain top so I would then be looking at massive changes against Huddersfield, possibly sacrificing the game if necessary, then bringing a refreshed squad back for our trip to Widnes and the return fixture against wigan.

Well we dont know the state of the walking wounded. Gidley obviously didn't start off kicking because of his leg and Ratchford didn't end up kicking presumably because of his leg - courtesy of Liam Farrell. We also know Clark nearly didn't play, so will certainly need spelling. Fingers crossed they all come through. Assuming they do, I agree Julien for Revans seems a good choice not just positionally, but because he is a demon tackler, ideal for Saints methinks. After that I suspect everyone including TS will agonise over the choices. Thelonius's solution looks a good one, or will the daring Mr Smith bring back Declan Patton? If he does, he is sure to get targeted, both with and without the ball. Two fresh players would also help after Wire could only use a bench of two for most of the Wigan game.


Who Knows ?

Clark made a mockery of the convention that a hooker needs to be rotated. He was strong throughout and put in some monster tackles.

I agree a lot with the sentiment of this.
It just seemed to become the fashion, when Stains were blessed with Peg Seller Cunningham and a young Roby, and a lot of clubs thought that worked (well it would, with that level of quality) so they copied.

Hooker is the most involved position in both codes, in the middle defending, then following every attacking play, you simply don't get a rest in that position at all, playing 80 mins you need a phenomenal engine, it's easy to understand why rugby rotate hookers.
To not only play with a knock for 80 mins but also pick up motm shows the fitness and fortitude Clark has.

Indeed yes, and Tony Hodson made it look effortless for 80 mins every week back in the halycon days of the 80's.

But I digress. I actually thought Stef did a fine job in the halves last night, in part largely to the kind of assured, steadying, professional performance from Kurt that we all expect by default. I'd quite happily go with those two against Saints, bring Julien in at centre and keep the back-row the same.

Whether we go with Declan on the bench to spell Clarke is another matter but we're going to need plenty of grunt on the bench - Saints are far less George Michael and more Andrew Ridgeley these days.