Seems strange we haven't got a topic for this yet. Normally would be an eagerly anticipated match, but seems like a bit of a non event to me. Performance is more important than the result. Hopefully see a few flowing moves rather than the clunky and stilted attack that has been on show recently. Really all about preparing for the semi as I see it.

Not easy to get fired up for it.
A dead rubber on a revised date and not knowing what type of team either side will put out.

If it was me picking both teams...I'd go full team for Wire but weakened team of Saints.

Too many fixtures, becomes a bit boring

Neither coach will want to show their hand ahead of bigger games, but neither team will want to risk a psychological drubbing.

Saints have rarely rested players this season, in fact it's been a criticism of Hallbrook that they look burnt out as a result.

I suspect both teams will rest a handful (Clarke, Hughes, Philbin & Goodwin would probably benefit fron a week off for us) but will want to maintain sone kibd of momentum.

For me, I don't mind conceeding this one, then going to the totallysmug stadium with 17 raring to go and catching them with their pants down.

Clark and Hughes rested.

Saints have posted their squad.
A full squad as I can see.

So if we go strong too...a dress rehearsal for the semi final perhaps?

I thought only Hughes had been ever present too

Does anyone really care if we lose this game? We will be playing them again in 2 weeks time in the semi final. That is the one we should be focusing all our attention on.

Will the semi be on the Thursday Friday or Saturday as need to book half day to travel up? Thanks

Yes now that Saints are fieldiing their strongest team.
We go into the semi with a defeat, we aren't going to win it.
We need to beat them and with something in reserve.

Just like last time they beat us at the hj a couple of weeks before the semi final?

Result matters not. It only matters in October, and this game and the Wakefield one are just trial matches.
Last week Price looked at the options for half back, and this week it's hookers. There's other positions he's probably looked at too. But these are just precautions against injury.

I'm just hoping that we have some idea(s) with ball in hand as our attack is the problem, not our defence (unless were a man short for the last ten minutes).

With S--t Helens finishing top, they will rewarded with the Thursday evening game, to give an extra day of recovery, for the final.

Thanks boss hog

The area we let down most is in attack on the final tackle.
Has been for some seasons now.

They will want to deflate us like we did to Catalans in the run up to Wembley.

If anyone should be worried about being caught with their trousers down it's our outside backs as according to Price in the Guardian they will have a "red hot crack"

Bad point well made Sal.

I'd accept a drubbing if we played our reserves as you know the two Catalan teams bore no resemblance to each other. If we field a fairly strong team which is likely, then I'd prefer a strong performance in the run up.

If we play Saints which is most likely its Thursday night 7.45pm. They are selling tickets now for semi. If we win both our remaining games and Cas lose theirs, we play Wigan away on the Friday.

Gunna stick my neck out..that won't happen and also go with a saints Wigan final

I'd agree. The two best sides this season by some long way.

Notwithstanding a relatively decent season by the Wires considering but we cannot overlook being 13 points and 9 point respectively behind Saints and Wigan.

In contrast....if that happens then I'll be more than confidant we'll win the GF.

The Thursday night game that we are odds to be playing, gives an incredibly short turn around for Wire since we play Wakefield on the previous Sunday.

I can`t see Price playing a lot of key players at Wakefield for this reason.

I thought it was Friday night. The same as Saints.

Yes, you are correct it IS a Friday fixture.

Sorry.