There is history to be made with 2 french men in the 17

There's history to be made no matter what.
That would be the last thing on my mind

You are probably right, you look at the front row initially and think we are outgunned but our back row and bench is much stronger on paper.

Rumours flying around quite a few social media forums that Manfredi is out having pulled up in training. Anyone heard anything ?

I’ve read that rumour but know nothing about it. I’m keeping everything crossed it’s not true because that really would be tough for the lad to take.

That would be pretty devastating for him if true,even if it’s something minor that will only keep him out of one game. It dent our hopes for tomorrow as he has looked good since returning and we would have to shuffle the backline in his absence.

Choice would be Escare on the wing or Bateman centre with Gildart wing and Faz in to start.

It would be the latter I guess but let’s hope it’s not true.

I've seen nothing concrete but it's been floating round all day. He's been solid since his return and would be be a huge loss let alone for the poor lad missing out after going through so much already. Fingers crossed it's just rumour

Id probably draft in Mullen - baptism of fire though!

I am going for starting power in wet condition. Big strong centres to take them by surprise then bring on faster more mobile forward and Tommy to run them off the park.

Sarginson
Manfredi
Bateman
Greenwood
Gildart
Tomkins
Williams
Clubb
Powell
Flower
Farrell
Tautai
O'Loughlin


Tommy
Naverette
Sutton
Hamlin

No chance with Greenwood, not sure he’s ever played centre and it’s a difficult position to adjust too, I know where you are coming with trying to field a bigger side but there is a limit.

I think it would be ok. It would only be for 20 minutes to help batter them into submission with non stop hit ups and boring one out drives and bone crushing defence, then bring all 4 subs on at the same time to move to a faster expansive game. You could even start Hamlin at 6 and bring Tomkins off the bench, No need for any ball movement in the first 20 just hurt them (legally) and take the sting out of them. We have a lot of options today with bad weather we can afford to try something different. We can create a wall of meat in front of them.