They did in '09.

I'd expect a couple to back up if we don't postpone the game, Sam, Joel and Lockers did when we walloped Wakey last year, although Lockers limped off after 10 mins.

IIRC this game isn't being classified as an international - that's why the Aussie clubs can hold onto their UK players. Some players back up a couple of days after State Of Origin games but granted the SOO games take place on a Wednesday. Then again. It'll test a lot of club's strength in depth. FWIW I really like the concept - shame it's being played up north tho!

The team at the moment looks like:

1. Brett Hodgson
2. Joel Monaghan
3. Matt King
4. George Carmont
5. Pat Richards
6. Rangi Chase
7. Thomas Leuluai
8. Mark O'Meley
9. Danny Buderus
10. Willie Mason
11. Luke O'Donnell
12. Clint Newton
13. Craig Fitzgibbon

One word to some this up FARCE why play it when you a round of SL to play it doesnt make sense whatsoever so that means both our games against cas could be being midweek i fear we will not finish top for this reason should we make the semi/final of CC

I think a lot of that will be that you can only pick 3 players from 1 team.

You pick the backline first to Hodgson/King/Monaghan get picked from Wire first.

Webb
Monaghan
King
Soliola
Meli
Chase
Sammut
Mason
Monaghan
O'Meley
O'Donnell
Menzies
Fitzgibbon

No Wigan players

No.Last year we played Quinns away with a weakened team on top of injuries on the same day as the England game and won and the year before we played Cas at home with a very young inexperienced team and sneaked a win.

Both years we've had the option to cancel but GH takes the view he doesn't want a midweek fixture causing extra player fatique etc

I imagine most people will have picked King, Hodgson and Joel Monaghan in the backs so can't pick another Wire player.
Hoffman is a better player than Newton but most will have already selected Richards, Carmont and Leuluai from Wigan.

I think Hoffman, O'Donnell and Fitzgibbon is a must in the back row though. Carmont is good, but Soliola or someone else would be fine in the centres. Those 3 in the back row would give the biggest test to England.

I agree, but Buderus is the captain. Either way if Monaghan doesn't get picked to start he is the only other available hooker (I think) for selection and so he'll just end up on the bench.

He will be on the bench anyway.

wire wont miss 7 players as there only playing salford, mite be worth picking some sants as there playing bradford

I'm pretty sure a campaign on here and on facebook through the Wigan fans site could see us pick whatever team we want

Richards, Carmont and Leuluai however will rightly play though as they are the best players in those positions IMO and they have chosen to play so I hope they have good games and don't get injured. This could be a cracking game in truth.

For me this game will prove whether or not overseas players majorly raise standards. If England win easily, do we really need so many overseas players? If exiles win easily then we should relocate super league to PNG.

Just suspend the round and play it on a Bank Holiday Monday, week before have the games all on a Friday similar to Easter.

Saints/Wigan/Wire are all at a disadvantage for no good reason other than to put some money in the back pocket of the RFL.
PLUS how many people can afford two games one after another? club or country no contest for me.