I was thinking along the same lines.

Assuming that GI will play at Centre next week then it's almost inevitable that he won't last the full 80 minutes on his first outing after so long out of the game. I would stand down Thewliss, move Mamo to the wing and keep Ashton at FB. Austin on the bench instead of Walker.

If / when GI goes off you can revert to an established, albeit somewhat toothless, structure of Mamo at Centre, Ratchford at FB and Austin at half with Ashton going out to the wing (or even just move Ratchford to Centre and Austin in at 6).

If GI can last then I'd like to see Austin come off the bench as impact hooker. It could be a dissaster but I'd like to see him running at a tired defence.

If thewlis is to lose his place he deserve to be the bench option, if Inglis gets injured we revert straight back to what we lined up as yesterday rather than having to shuffle?

Spot on. If the King try had been scored by Saints, everyone would be raving about keeping the ball alive, brilliant off the cuff rugby, pinpoint kick, etc etc.

Good point, especially when you take the wind into consideration. There was one goal line drop out that went a long way from that end, hence turning over the ball 5-10 yards out was not a bad option in the conditions.

I thought our defence was excellent yesterday, as we only conceded a try through an error that was a gift. These things happen, and to the players credit they didn't buckle and repelled everything Cats had. It's already been mentioned, but our handling of Tomkins was absolutely key, and he was given no space to create anything. Don't think I can recall a game where he was tackled in possession on so many occasions, and that facet of the game made it a very enjoyable one on it's own.

Our attack is still a big concern, as we don't seem to have any attacking structure that causes gaps in opposing defence. Charnley, Ashton and Thewlis were given no scoring opportunities, which is disappointing, but cannot detract from a very solid performance, containing moments of individual brilliance.

Same 17 for me next week, let's build on what we achieved in France.

I like the way he doesn't get put on his back, and gets a quick PTB by landing on his front. When Hill and Cooper were rested, our pack didn't get dominated, Philbin's best used on the bench rather than at 13.

I said this to someone last night, whilst he's not a monster, he's a big dude more like carvell and leikvoll were, he's difficult to get on his back.


He was quietly excellent.

There are a lot of third props around like Mulhearn who are better than the press they get from opposition fans. Amor and Singleton fall into the same category for me - I'd be happy with either of those if there are two top class props starting. We are lucky that we also have Philbin.

I agree. A structured defence line is better against a team that can score deep with pace like Tom Davis. Snuff out that and do a number on Sam, and you pretty much stub out Cats. Pricey did a great game plan and McNamara has been taught a lesson. Cats will be better for that game but now every other team knows how to beat Cats too.
I think Wire learnt a think from FC, we should have beaten them but poor kicking allowed them to find defensive cracks in fatigue.
Others have said Wire played great vs FC, we did, but for me our most disappointing result bar Cas, because we should have won.

It seemed one benefit of having Ratchford at 6 was his willingness to pass to the right. This at least keeps the opposition thinkin.
Mulhearn is exactly what we were crying out for and if I do say so myself, Matt Davies isn’t disgracing himself at 13.
It will be very interesting to see if GI is given a starting spot next week. I suspect he will be on the bench. If I’m right about that the chances of Blake Austin being on the bench as well are fairly remote.

I would go with

Ashton
Mamo
Inglis
King
Charnley
Ratchford
Widdop

Harsh on Thewlis but I think he’s wasted on the wing and Mamo cannot be dropped.

He’d go straight in at right centre for me, however there could be a small sensation aspect to have him come off the bench, but I personally I wouldn’t, because what point of gain is there to bring GI on when the game is already in the bag by the time they do an interchange?
It’s like a backfire....however bringing him on while we are trailing would be the reverse.
The odds are we will win well, so we MUST start with GI to get the biggest exposure.

Absolutely

The big difference for me this week was Ratchford's kicking game. We had the opposition starting far more of their sets from deep. We didn't force any repeat sets and we still don't offer enough of a threat in the opponents 20 but at least we were not gifting them field advantage or 7 tackle re-starts. To keep Catalan to 8 points (a penalty and a gifted try) in their own back yard is a real achievement.

If it is the case of the biggest exposure, as opposed to winning a game of rugby, then I'd expect an announcement, earlier than the usual squad naming, that GI's turning out on 1st May.
Also, were in the awkward position of quarantining for 5 days, which will mess up our usual recovery/training cycle. A win against HKR is far from a foregone conclusion.