Can't see that. I think it is more likely that Knowles will start on the bench and will come on as an interchange 9 to spell McIllorum. He's played 9 a few times at Saints.

Whitehead definately, had a poor last couple of seasons at canberra.

Radley more likely to be the surprise at #9 for me.

George Williams to #9 and Welsby to #6? Wane has used Williams as an interchange #9 before.

I can understand Batchelor missing out, I think it'll be a close game and Batchelor is in the top two for both missed tackles and penalties conceded. Also he isn't a big metre maker.

he was the best second row in the comp for me last year

This guy a troll?

I don't disagree (even though he didn't get in the dream team) but he's not "way ahead" of any of those 3.

I think styles make fights.

Being the best in SL doesn’t make you an automatic pick.

Sorry Brian but thats a load of rubbish. We've been through this before in relation to missed tackles and stats, indeed I think it was Nicky Kiss that nailed it with their explanation. The way that Saints defend with such linespeed and intensity explains this.

There was probably only Farrell in the comp last season that was as good as Batchelor so bearing in mind that Farrell is injured its a no brainer for me for Batchelor to be in the 17. He's also got a very good try scoring record and runs great lines.

I can't believe we haven't picked a Saints player when one was available. Unbelievable Jeff!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Don't try and make this a Wigan/Saints thing. Its not like I'm advocating every English Saints player to be picked. I also expressed my surprise with Ackers and Oledzki not playing. I'd have had Oledzki in although to be fair to Wane I wouldn't be surprised if Ackers is one of those with a niggle and thats the reason he's not playing.

As I've explained, Batchelor has had a great season and given that Farrell is injured I thought he would've been a shoe in for the 17 at least.

Batchelor would be starting for me (presuming he’s fit) but it feels like Wane has decided to go with plenty of experience in the pack first up. I’m sure chances will come for everyone in the next couple of weeks and we can then go from there in the knock outs. It’s exciting in a way that the first 17 will still be really strong, yet we have some real quality like Oledzki, Batchelor and Bateman waiting to come in. The teams picked now, so let’s just hope everyone gets behind the lads and we get the win. I can’t wait for the weekend.

I can see why Wane hasn't picked Batchelor. It is similar to the reasons that Percival has continually been overlooked at international level. Completion rate and low error rates are what win big internationals and both those players make a lot of handling error. That doesn't mean to say that they dont have other strengths but Wane is somebody that bases his decisions on completion rates.

As for Ackers he will get plenty of game time but against the likes of Tonga and Samoa I don't think his defensive skills are trusted. I think we will start with Sneyd on the bench and Welsby/Williams in the halves. When Sneyd comes on we will shift Williams to 9.

Talking absolute rubbish if you think Wane is going to bring on Knowles at 9.

Victor to nine when Knowles comes on.Sneyd plays for me,some rain forecast turn there big men around with his kicking game and obviously goal kicking.