Full strength against Widnes. Anyone who gets a knock should be withdrawn from the Exiles game so that we are at full strength for the Wire game.

Agreed. Can't help but remember that the wheels came off our season last year after the Exiles game - largely due to the disruption caused by Tommy's injury. Hopefully we'll come out of both Exiles games injury-free this time.

I still think Pat's lengthy absence caught up with us as well at the back of last season, perhaps more so that Tommy with him being goal kicker. I know they both returned late but it was too late to get into rhythm.

I think add to that both Lima & Finch had the 'smell of home' wafting through their nostrils going into those last 6-8 matches. To a lesser extent maybe even Tommy too??

Carmont's performances never dropped to a standard which was noticeable but surely he must have had distractions - going home, retirement/non retirement...etc.

This year it's just Pat who we have returning home, so let's hope he keeps good until the very end. (I know Mossop is off - but he's a UK lad looking for a new challenge - not a homesick aussie).

Agreed. It's the Exiles who should have weaker team if any of our players pick up a knock not us v Widnes.

As someone else said pick up the points while you can and then these last two fixtures could both be irrelevant.

Last season we were chasing the top spot v HKR and had to bust a gut to get it just two games from the end and I reckon Wane would do the same AGAIN if we had to. Best not to need to if possible.

Did I see gelling warm up with the team today? If so I'd have him at centre, worth a try...


Sam
Charnley
Goulding (great game from him today)
Gelling
Richards
Powell
Smith
Mossop
McIlorum
Flower
Hansen
Farrell
Burke

Hughes
Taylor
Lauaki
Tomkins

this...our games for 2 important points, whilst the exiles is a fairly meaningless friendly warm up game being played at an inconvenient time

Don't understand all this talk of 'can't afford', we're 3 points clear at the top of the league, 5 if Hudds lose tonight, and the top 4 are much of a muchness once it comes to the crunch. Plus Widnes are in 10th place even if they are in ok form. Assuming we didn't pick up any new injuries and Lockers is back I'd go:

FB 1 S.Tomkins
RW 2 Charnley
RC 3 Goulding
LC 17 Thornley
LW 34 Burgess (or did is it true that Gelling's back early? If so, him)
SO 24 S.Powell
SH 7 Smith
P 26 Crosby
H 23 L.Tomkins
P 10 Mossop
SR 11 Hansen
SR 16 Tuson
LF 13 O'Loughlin

S 8 Lauaki
S 21 Taylor
S 29 Burke
S 31 Williams (or is he out injured? If so McIlorum at H and Logan on the bench)

I'd be tempted to select another 10 or so players. Let's no take them too lightly.

Mr Bilko ,
Would the Tommy refered to in your post be a certain gentleman better known in some parts as "Wee Tam"





Regards , EW

Regards , EW