If the disciplinary have any consistency which we all know they don't then Byrne will be sat down next week.
Going off the limited replays I've seen it looked like the exact same tackle technique that got him banned for Lewis last year and Percival this year.

Credit to the lads. That last 40 was probably the best rugby we’ve played so far in the league. We have looked in 2nd gear for awhile but nothings won playing your best in the early/mid stages of the year. Keep telling myself we’re top of the league, only played 3 home games and now looking at full strength, building form

Think Byrne woll play next week I would stick him on the bench for Harvard however it would hinder us as Havard has been great off the bench

Byrne 2 match ban

There are obviously a few options but it feels like Harvie Hill deserves the spot to me. Havard to move up and get the start and Hill to come on to the bench.

The judiciary really don't like Byrne do they. Almost feels personal

Cooper will come into the side. I have no doubt about that. History shows that Peet always goes with the experienced option.

Personally, I agree that Hill is the one who deserves the call up. I wouldn't have minded an gamble on Walters too. A bit of size and x- factor etc.

Cooper will play tho.

Either of Hill or Cooper would be fine by me. The only justification for Walters would be to provide more flexibility with rotation options in a big game but I can't see it.

Strongly suspect he'll go with Cooper but Hill was 18th man last week with Cooper available so you never know. Either would be fine with me and, you would think, less likely cause a disciplinary problem than Byrne which could prove especially important in a knock out game.

As an aside, I wouldn't play Byrne again until he learns to bend his back going into the tackle. He's far too often upright on contact which is causing him (and the team) problems.

Not appealing, big opportunity for either Hill/Cooper, Byrne must've surely knocked himself down the prop pecking order

Tough choice between Hill or Cooper.

The option to play O'Neil at 13 after a break means we have a very mobile aggressive defender in the 2nd half and so takes a little pressure of potentially tiring forwards with Ellis also able to move up to prop. Whether that points to Hill, Cooper or even Walters playing I have no idea !

We do know that KR will try and move the ball around so we need our forwards to be mobile.
Main thing in the first half is to be excellent in contact up front - if we can manage that I think we'll have a great chance.

Three great options to bring in for Byrne I reckon.

Cooper - big game player, plenty of experience. Started in the WCC and played great.

Hill - been in great for this year, would bring energy and work rate, played in the playoff semi win against KR last year

Walters - massive backrow/front row hybrid, big potential and had a brilliant season last year.


I’d lean Hill but all 3 are good options.

The CC semi against them last year we only had Byrne and Ellis as out and out props. Mago at the time couldn’t be trusted and played very few minutes and Hill was unused.

Compare that to Thompson, Ellis, Dupree, Havard, Cooper/Hill it’s night and day.

I have no doubt that Coops will play, big game experience is vital. If we start fast and play to our potential we will be Wembley bound.

A bit harsh on Hill who hasn't put a foot wrong but I agree that Cooper will play, and on balance I think that's the right call.

It was great to see O'Neill and Leeming play so well in the same side last weekend. I was never particularly concerned about having 140 props because you expect to pick up injuries and bans there as the season goes on, but as soon as we signed Leeming I wondered how we would manage giving him enough game time alongside O'Neill when one of his strengths is that he can do big minutes.

I think O'Neill will make a brilliant 13 ,good hands and great fitness to tackle anything that moves.

It's great to have options, agreed Cooper will replace Byrne, Hill and Walters will be in the team for Salford