He's not going to France according to some Bulls fans!

We shouldn't underestimate the importance of having Sir Tony there to watch over us.
Woody/Rah can step up to the plate for Moz, Johnno/Harrison for Benny etc. Grix in at loose leaving Monas/Briers/Richie to run things on the pitch.
The problem is our No2.
Bratfud are struggling at the moment but could have turned that all important corner with todays result and would love to stick one up us next week following the humiliation AND the Jimmy factor. They may really fancy their chances against us without both our captain and gaffer to inspire and lead us through.

Higham may be a doubt for Sunday too, with a possible torn bicep.

Higham will be a doubt for a long time if this is right. Such a shame.

Oh crap - that could be him gone rest of this season dependant on size of tear if true

I hope not, sounds serious. Where did you hear that?

Buderus was out for 6 months with Torn Bicep, so its not the best news we could have had......

Gather Torn Bicep is right. Monas in at interchange hooker then?

I would do so yes, with bridge + briers at HB

If Higham has torn a bicep and is out for a considerable length of time what would you do if you were TS? Personally i wouldn't want to move Bridge into the halves role on a weekly basis to allow Monas to cover at 9. Bridge has looked extremely good at Right centre and I think it would weaken us if he had to play, or even move to 7 during the course of each game. Monas is beginning to offer more at 7 than he has done sice he arrived and the partnership with Briers is at long last beginning to gel as some sort of a unit. With Johnson back soon (hopefully), I'd keep Clarke starting at 9, doing the majority of time on the field and when needed i'd let Louis help do some work there like he has done it the past for NZ. I know its not a natural position for him and he certainly wont give us the explosive, dynamic change Higham gives us coming from the bench but it allows us to get our strongest 17 (barring the injuries) on to the field. Im not sure Alex Thompson has what it takes to make the step up yet.

Good call.

smith is back for the match on sunday

How do you know? It says on Guardian website that the players arn't back until after the Wire-Bulls game. I hope your right though!

They have just spoken to Mickey on BBC Radio Mersyside. He has suffered a bicep injury and will see a specialist tomorrow but hopes it isn't too serious.

Think we'll be a Hooker down aswell, not sure if the Frenchman has been selected for France.


Think we'll go:

Halley
Sheriffe
Sykes
Nero
Tadulala
Jeffries
Deacon
Lynch
Newton
Scruton
Menzies
Morrison
Langley

Kopzcak
Worrincy
Cook
Crossley (?)

Not sure who Macca will select as last sub.