One thing is for sure we will be getting 100% out of every player over the next 3 weeks

Tomkins
Charnley
Goulding
Thornley
Richards
Green
Smith
Mossop
Mcilorum
Flower
Farrell
Hansen
O'loughlin

Taylor
Crosby
Tuson
Powell

So far I have 12 spots nailed on, the other 5 are up for grabs over the next 3 games. Where there is a / I have put the player I would pick on current form first:

FB 1 S.Tomkins
RW 2 Charnley
RC 3 Goulding
LC 22 Gelling/17 Thornley
LW 5 Richards
SO 6 Green/32 Hampshire
SH 7 Smith
P 15 Flower
H 9 McIlorum
P 10 Mossop
SR 11 Hansen
SR 12 Farrell
LF 13 O'Loughlin

S 16 Tuson
S 19 Taylor/20 Dudson
S 26 Crosby/20 Dudson
S 32 Hampshire/23 L.Tomkins

Dudson should be nowhere near the team.

1. S Tomkins
2. J Charnley
3. D Goulding
4. A Gelling
5. P Richards
6. B Green
7. M Smith
8. L Mossop
9. M McLlorum
10.D Crosby
11.H Hansen
12.L Farrell
13.S O'loughlin

S. B Flower
S. S Taylor
S. C Tuson
S. R Hampshire

That's how I would go if the game was this weekend, especially harsh on Logan Tomkins as I think he's progressed massively recently but purely because of his versatility to play 1,6 and 7 I'd go with Hampshire due to recent injures to the players in them positions. I like the impact Taylor and Flower bring of the bench and his footwork IMO works better against tired forwards. Mossop and Crosby due to there size would be my starting props. Dudson's form hasn't been upto his standards earlier this yer since returning from injury.

Sorry to be a Bore fordy BUT!



It's 4 weeks and 3 hard games between now and then, lots & lots will happen in the mean time for both teams.

That's the worry for both teams isn't it. We look in good shape at the moment injury wise but that can soon change. They will need to manage the teams selections carefully between now and the final and try to strike a balance between giving the lads enough rest but also trying to build some form.

The Catalans trip will be interesting. I'd probably be looking to leave Tomkins, Richards, Smith, McIlorum, Farrell, Hansen, Lockers, Flower and Mossop at home but will they do that or will they want the full side to have a tough hit out?

I'd take a few of them to France. Tomkins, Richards and O'Loughlin need to be wrapped in cotton wool for the next few weeks as a loss of any of them would be huge and could cost us the final. The others, I think we have players who could step in and play in those positions if needed. I'm all for getting some form at this stage of the season, but we need to be clever about it. As annoying as it is, top spot is relatively unimportant now as long as we're top 4, so I would take dropping a few points if it means with have both bit of silverware in the cabinet come October.

I'd play the full side v Hull K.R and Huddersfield bar giving Farrell a rest v Hull KR, we want to get back into the habit of playing well after all (which we haven't since Magic Weekend apart from when we play Widnes and London who both completely rolled over from the start). Huddersfield in particular could be a good dress rehearsal for the cup final.

Against Catalans I'd rest quite a few, that's not just because I'd want to avoid injuries to key players either, I'd rather have a fringe player giving it 100% to try and force his way into the Wembley 17 than an established player giving it 50% with his mind on getting away from that big French pack unscathed so he can play at Wembley the week after. For Les Cats I'd go:

FB 35 Tierney
RW 2 Charnley
RC 17 Thornley
LC 22 Gelling
LW 5 Richards
SO 6 Green
SH 7 Smith
P 21 Taylor
H 23 L.Tomkins
P 26 Crosby
SR 4 Hughes
SR 16 Tuson
LF 29 Burke

S 20 Duson
S 30 Spencer
S 32 Hampshire (to play in the halves)
S 38 Powell

Bit unusual going for 3 props on the bench rather than 2 and a second rower but Catalans are a big pack and I wouldn't want to risk any of that star back row combo of Hansen, Farrell, O'Loughlin

Id rest lockers, sam, charnley, green, smith, hansen and farrell against catalans. Finishing top is irrelevant. The cup must take priority before the play offs.

Green's form has been very ordinary since his injury, he might be better for the gametime