Agree, don't forget Wigan are without Leuluai and Powell, two of the best defenders in their "spine" positions, should be fun.

As in all games you go with what you've got and hope you can work a game plan around those players available.

Read the minutes re. Percival and rightly wasn't up for the tackle it was the coming together afterwards, fortunately for him/unfortunately for us it was just pushing and shoving, no punches thrown

Looking forward to this, looks like your pack, depending where Roby plays, is at full strength and that's obviously where you've had the better of us, I thought on GF we handled Walmsley as well as we've done for ages but Paasi absolutely mullered us when he came on.
If we can live with them especially around the interchanges then I reckon we've got the pace to really give you a contest.
Like you said should be a cracker

It’s good to see the disciplinary showing a bit more sense. There’s every chance that a month ago, Percival, Thornley and Cust could’ve been sitting out the semi final.

Famous last words but Walmsley hasn’t hit top gear yet this season. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still the best prop in the league by a mile but he’s not been at his marauding best. Spot on about Paasi as well. His spell really took us out of the game and we can’t let that happen again. I’d be holding Liam Byrne back and tasking him with getting off his line (as he’s been doing so well this season) to try and hunt Paasi down. It’s risky in some ways but we can’t let him dominate us as comfortably again.

On the plus side we have Ellis back so can go with a full compliment of forwards, and Thornley back in the side will add some extra drive coming off our line.

Down side we are weaker in defence without Powell and Tommy.

I trust Peet will have been working on tightening up the middle this week so hopefully a big improvement from recent weeks defence.

Another plus is we seem to be hitting far better line speed when taking the ball up from our own half, something we haven't done in recent years. The forwards, Thornley and Marshall.especially are coming into the ball at speed and with more variety so we have a much better chance of getting away from our line.

The extra proper prop in having Ellis should mean we can maintain our defence longer than the 25 mins we did on GF.

Should be a cracker.

On the plus side we have Ellis back so can go with a full compliment of forwards, and Thornley back in the side will add some extra drive coming off our line.

Down side we are weaker in defence without Powell and Tommy.

I trust Peet will have been working on tightening up the middle this week so hopefully a big improvement from recent weeks defence.

Another plus is we seem to be hitting far better line speed when taking the ball up from our own half, something we haven't done in recent years. The forwards, Thornley and Marshall.especially are coming into the ball at speed and with more variety so we have a much better chance of getting away from our line.

The extra proper prop in having Ellis should mean we can maintain our defence longer than the 25 mins we did on GF.

Should be a cracker.

Anyone know what’s going on with Isa?

Not fit or just not selected ?

No talk of him being injured, his effort is unmatched, but I can’t see what he’s bought to the team this year. I’m a big fan of him but he’s been pushed out by better players, can’t see who you’d drop for him. (unless we get an injury or suspension obviously)

Reasons we’ll be better than on good Friday

Marshall back - left edge much as has been all season so hopefully more comfortable defensively.

Thornely back - been surprisingly solid, Saints are a huge side so a big body will help, Bateman was in the centres last time.

Ellis back - again size back in the team improvement on Partington

French more match fit - looking sharper now

Hardaker situation now settled

Improved goal kicker - we need to score some tries though.

Second half turned into a mess with Powell yellow and Tommy limping off ( unfit french in the halves)

Saints missing at least one half back, might be a bit clunky in attack.

Neutral ground rather than Saints home game.


Reasons we’ll be worse.

O’Neill and Smith arguably offer slightly more in attack than Tommy and Powell but are drastically worse defensively. Big issue. Can see Saints big forwards getting “wins” over O’Neill in the middle of the field consistently.

Saints full choice back row returns and potentially Grace back too. Knowles only played 10 mins and is their top man.


All things considered hopefully it’ll be slightly closer, Brad O’Neill will need to game of his life.

Looking forward to it.

Lomax named in the Saints squad. Hopoate out, Sironen and Hurrell returning from bans and Grace named after being out injured.

Assuming all fit (they won't be) I would guess we'll go:

Welsby
Makinson
Hurrell
Percival
Grace
Lomax
Roby
Walmsley
Lussick
Lees
Batchelor
Sironen
Knowles

Matautia
Paasi
LMS
Wingfield

Isa is injured

Unbelievable!

There are pages and pages on the Red-V site worrying about Saint's 'injury crisis'.

Hearing that Simm will start for Saints, probably means they aren't risking Grace

I think Grace hasn’t played all year?

Would be a huge risk to throw him in her semi final.