Massively disagree with this. He's really blowing at the end of a 20 minute stint, and can occasionally struggle to get back into the defensive line/set at marker. Sutton or Flower are better options if you wanted a big back rower (which I can understand) because they are both more mobile and have better stamina. Betts would have him trying to shirt grab halves and centres all day if we stuck him in at second row. He would be gasping for air when we have the ball, never mind trampling over anyone.

He always looks like he’s flapping when getting back in the line as though he’s lost the spot he should be defending in.

So Bateman to centre again. Given our lack of size I can see why we do it but I would still rather see a centre playing centre and one of our best forwards playing in the forwards. Perhaps we should put another forward on the wing given the lack of ball they are going to get.

Bateman is too good to be left out, we all agree on that. In my view, Joel and Faz deserve their place in the 17 too and based on this season’s form, I’d be leaving Powell, Isa and Tautai out and bring Shorrocks, Navarette and Hamlin in. If I was picking this week’s team, it would be as follows.
Tomkins
Davies
Burgess
Gildart
Marshall
Williams
Shorrocks
Flower
Leuluai
Clubb
Farrell
Bateman
Lockers

Tomkins
Navarette
Hamlin
Escare

You’ve left Sutton out as well and that would be fair enough on current form. I was looking at some stats earlier and his average gain this year is a shade over 6m per carry. That is embarrassing really, especially for a kid who’s apparently off to the NRL. If he’s making that little impact on defensive lines in superleague then I shudder to think what could happen in that sort of company.

I say all that and what frustrates me is that like Tautai, the lad is a decent player but many of our players and especially our props seem to get in to a comfort zone. Maybe it’s the fact we’ve become a comfort blanket for our past players to fall back on when they don’t crack the NRL. In regards to the props I suspect it’s becausr the demands on them are so low. They’re never expected to take the ball from their own line and none of them need to fight to do longer spells as they know they’ll be sat back down in 15 minutes.

As things stand, the game goes ahead, but another inspection tomorrow morning. They’ve had portable heaters on the pitch as well as the undersoil heating.

Its not the pitch thats going to beat us up here being at the game. It's going to be the roads (M6 , M74 both closed tonight) and trains .

If we don't make it guys cheer the team on to a win and enjoy the game.

Regards , EW

Really hope you make it. Some of the whingeing on t'other site is embarrassing to you guys.

The only time I recollect the undersoil heating at Central Park not working is when people forgot to turn it on.

Why is it whinging if people choose not to go? Can’t force people to sit in the cold simple as that,for me I fail to see why it’s being played on a Friday surely this one was a prime game to be on a Sunday but that’s just me.

As for your original comment I’ll not criticise anyone for their choices in life it’s called free will.

big difference between being an athlete and being fit. His size, body type and frame shows how much of an athlete he is. I agree his fitness isn't where I'd want it to be (especially recently coming off a pre-season) but I still think he'd make a good hard running back rower. Additionally to this, the SR position requires a different type of fitness, hence why they spell props more regularly.

I think transport in the borough is ok.

I work near Widnes and got into work ok today, in fact it was better than normal.

Lets not worry about the M74...

Game on, Brrrrrrr

I was due in Edinburgh on Tues for a 2 night stay, but for once took advice from the weather forecasts, i had booked to be back for the game so it worked out ok in the end. I have had updates from Virgin and no trains or replacement buses running yesterday or today.

Couldn't make the game (a real rarity for me!) as no one I go with would brave the weather. Thoughts on the game from those who went appreciated! Was surprised Navarette didn't get a crack after Wane's comments midweek, how did Sutton and Tautai get on?