Just heard that Jai said he's three weeks away in the Saints hospitality lounge.

I'd keep Eckersley at fullback after that performance on Friday for sure. To manage that it will mean somebody playing out of position at centre though and my choice would probably be Miski, with Douglas coming on to the wing. I think Miski could handle playing centre for a game pretty comfortably. Failing that you're probably putting one of the second rowers in there and with it being the right hand side, that would probably be Nsemba or Walters.

Yea can’t move eckersley for me. Sure it was mentioned by Peet that he was last min cover for saints ideally could do with him building games at FB to face off against Warrington. Hampshire still think should go at 9 and swap out with O’Neil

Watching Eckersley in the Saints game , I couldn't help thinking how much he reminded me of a young Kris Radlinski, with his running, reading of the game, agility and tackling, not to mention appearance.
If he matures into something only approaching 50% of KR, we're onto a winner.

Wigan appealing Keighran ban

Passi should be charged after the shoulder to Dupree's head

Head clash they said on the night, which is some form of miracle, as Paasi's head is therefore doubling up as one of his shoulders. It was more obvious than Havards, which they also called as a head clash on the night but that was then charged and a fine given.

As I keep saying, I don't want to see anyone banned, so good on Paasi for getting cleared but it all continues to make no sense and be totally inconsistent.

Eckersley should be FB until Field/French return, he seems a better fit there.Nathan Lowe is probably the furthest on of the Reserves centres but still raw, maybe Walters to centre with Cooper returning.

Eckersley
Miski
Walters/Lowe
Wardle
Marshall

Farrimond
Smith

Havard
O'Neil
Thompson
Farrell
Nsemba
Ellis

Walters/Lowe/Byrne
Mago
Dupree
Cooper

y

Who’s Lowe mate? Matt Peet prefers to have one of Havard and Thompson on the field at all times so I think one may start on the bench.

Do you mean Nathan Lowe?

Lowe plays in our Reserves and is a decent prospect (there are a few!) but most physically mature I'd say. Problem is he doesn't have much experience at the Senior level but that's was true of Eckersley/Farrimond/Nsemba

Has Douglas played at fb or his he an out and out winger ?

I haven't seen him play there but have noticed him named at fullback in a couple of reserve/academy fixtures. The way Eckersley played there on Friday though would mean I'd use a couple of other work arounds before moving him but I'd like to see Douglas get a game.

Keighran has won his appeal and is available now for Saturday.

Cue Brian Nazareth having a meltdown over on RedVee

The meltdown was so bad that RedVee has gone down

He has played a bit at FB but not experienced enough yet. I think he is ready to play on the wing now though, he was impressive v Wire.

With Keighran's ban being overturned I think we can expect Eckersley will keep his place at full back.
Against Saints he looked absolutely lethal.
His size and pace looked very difficult for opponents to handle.

With Keighran's ban being overturned I think we can expect Eckersley will keep his place at full back.
Against Saints he looked absolutely lethal.
His size and pace looked very difficult for opponents to handle.

100%, we may need a stand in FB until French is fit if Field comes back as stand off, or at least for a few weeks.

Can't wait. Halfwit of the highest order

I fear that you are doing him an injustice Bazdev, he’s not that bright.

I think Farrimond is now our back up half. Would be very surprised to see him move from that role now, unless he picks up a knock, even when Field returns who I think will go straight back to 1.

Eckersley will still get plenty of opportunities as first choice back up centre, fullback and wing.

Agreed.

There might not be much of a gap between Field and Leemings returns but if Field is back first, I'd put Eckersley on the bench until Leeming does come back. Carrying 4 forwards on the bench is overkill for me and we're hardly seeing Mago at all recently. Thompson, Havard and Ellis do such big minutes we do not need 3 props on the bench (and Walters) IMO and would be better off using that 17th spot in the way some Australian teams do, by carrying a back on there to cover any issues.