your right, its a farce

I'm very confident of picking up the win to be honest.

I think we are improving week by week and after watching Giants v Toulouse and again last week I think they are too but are a little way behind us. I do however think come the end of the year they could well be in the mix but I think they need a little more time.

Same squad for us. I’d probably just shuffle the same 17 around a bit and then look to give guys like Smith, O’Neill and Shorrocks a go at Toulouse.

Field
Hardaker KPP Bibby Marshall
Cust Leuluai
Byrne Powell Ellis
Bateman Farrell Smithies

Subs
Singleton Mago
Isa Partington

As an aside, I see Gateshead (WIgan) Thunder had a good win at the weekend with Matty Nicholson getting a try and Sam Halsall three tries. Just for good measure former Wigan player Craig Mullen also got a couple.

2 well taken direct short distance tries and the 3rd was Robinsonesq all be it the result of some poor defence as he ran cross field.

The play I liked most though was his defensive effort in the second half where he jumps the line strips the ball one on one but rather than kill the play at that he looks for support and sets away the fullback in space who then puts the winger in. Great awareness from him. Developing nicely.

Isn't it nice when the team almost picks itself? Fingers crossed we actually keep players fit this season

On the prop rotation generally, Singleton as a sub doesn’t work - he should either start or not be in the squad.

Was fortunate to speak with ZH after the game on Friday, and specifically asked about the lift in intensity when we have our first lot of rotation and if there is a reason there isn’t that intensity from the off. His response was don’t underestimate the work that the starting forwards do to get us in a position where the rotation guys can come on and have a big impact, regardless of what you see from the stands.

I’m not a fan of Singleton at all, but it certainly made me see his input from a different perspective.

I'd love to know what kind of work that is that, then? Getting dominated by 34 year old Prior whilst returning the ball 3 times for 18 metres?

Why not?

For me he doesn't have the dynamic impact that would would like from someone coming on from the bench.

I am not saying it is inconceivable but I agree he is a better option as starting prop. Ideally Havard joins Mago on the bench and we should see a rea change in the game if we can get that rotation functioning and fit.

I think there's an element of if you want a quick start and early domination or a settled and controlled start with impact off the bench. We have opted for the latter and, so far at least, it seems to be working for us. It's interesting to note that Saints start with their most destructive prop and look to get dominance early. I think we could adopt the same style once a fit and firing Havard returns. I'm not sure we have enough big yardage or destructive props to do that at the moment.

Apologies for the stupid question but is Harry Smith unfit or down the pecking order?