Well the big man has got his ban, big boost for us particularly if we are gonna be lacking in the forwards. How much of an advantage that will be, time will tell, but although not confident for the game, im slightly less pessimistic. Just hope Maguire dismissing the tired issue is as he says and nonsense,, cos if we are fatigued, i dont fancy our chances against the Catalans and their huge pack

It certainly won't harm Wigan if he's not there. But I'm more concerned that our big forwards turn up. They certainly didn't last weekend.

No mentioned of him appealing the ban as Bailey is.
Probably be replaced by Michael Simon who aint exactly small!

Need Hoffman, Mossop and Cross to be fit, Henderson had a field day the last game against the Dragons at the DW

I cant see Hoffman being fit, and Cross has some problems with the arm he broke from what he read. Only reason Mossop didn't play was due to a twinge in the hammy rather than the shoulder injury so hes the only one im expecting to see pull on a shirt.
Lima
Tommy
Coley
Farrell
Hansen
Lockers

O Carroll
Mossop
Prescott


Bit light to be taking on the Catalans is that without Hoffman and Cross and no Hock or Tuson available.

SKY sports info bar this morning had the three in question Hoffman, Mossop and Cross being ready to play. I hope its right.

"It will be massive for Rugby in France the further they get. David obviously is French and it will be a benefit to Catalan to have as many French players on the field."

Interesting that Catalans submitted this in defence of the player.

I can just hear the response from the committee now ... '' look lad, nowt personal but we've hated the frogs for a thousand years, so we aint cutting you any slack this time, on yer bike ''

Leeds prop forward Ryan Bailey has been cleared to play in Friday's Super League preliminary semi-final against Huddersfield after successfully overturning a one-match ban.

Appeal and it gets turned over. That's the way it is.

What's the point in handing out the ban in the first place?

It goes from this from the RFL...

"We have discussed this at length and we have decided there should be a 1 match suspension, we have taken due to the fact that in just over 12 months you have received a Caution and a Warning for the same offence. It was obvious that Tickle felt it and luckily he was able to play on. There was a serious risk to injury in this situation and we feel that a 1 match ban and a £300 is required".

To the Leeds appeal...

"We recognise the way Ryan carries the ball, he is a "bumpy carrier". He runs the line and shrugs off the defenders. The consequence is that he gets the timing wrong and his knee is leading and high. When correct he raises his leg to power through the line. This is the version where he gets it wrong. We have worked in training from the previous caution and looked at it in training to make it more of an upper body shrug. The player added I realise that it was wrong and there was no intent to cause injury and know I need to sort this out in my game. Brian McDermott also added, he hopes the panel show leniency, I know we are at an important part of the season. The possibility of missing him for the game at the weekend is enough to make us take notice of this. He is an animated character and a very tough player who shows aggression. All the media around Ryan has been about who is going to knock him out. He is working on his discipline and has shown huge improvements, having had no issues over the last 14 games. Ryan is definitely a work in progress and both we and Ryan realise that"

Absolute load of rubbish!

Well not so much the appeal from Leeds but it was their guilty plea, which I'm guessing will be similar to the appeal.

If he's had a caution ad warning for the same offence in 12 months then a ban should be handed out. How many warnings/cautions do you need before a ban??