I think people wiull be pleasantly surprised with Bridge on Saturday, personally I think he's a cracking player and, if he avoids injuries, will be comfartable the best England qualified centre next season.

I think a lot of the vitriol on here is firmly grounded in a disappointment that Gleeson was overlooked rather than an objective view of Bridge as a player.

Having followed Bridge's career since he destroyed Wigan academy in a play off final as a teenager at Bradford, I'd suggest some of my fellow C&W watchers pay a bit more attention to him. For me he's starting to live up to his early potential under Smith at Wire after coasting under the likes of Cullen and Lowes.

Agreed, hope he manages to kick on, we need all the centres we can get.

On a side issue, can you please refrain from quoting me when I post so hastily with such poor spelling and grammar

He was a class act as an academy player, and I hope for his, the games, and Englands sake that he shows that flair on Saturday.

Agreed. Peacock is our best front rower so why on earth are we playing him in the second row. Personally I think Tony Smith has lost the plot here and not only with that decision. Why on gods earth have we to potentially three backrowers on the bench (depending on where Burgess comes on)??? As a Saints fan I dont think Wilkin is up to International level and personally I would have rather an extra prop on the bench in Carvell. The New Zealanders are a physically huge team and we need as much beef up front starting as we do on the bench.

I'm happy with Bridge being selected, strong, aggressive, quick and good hands.

The only real gripes I have are

a) with Roby starting (rather Diskin but if not Sinfield was great at 9 last week),
b) Wilkin - don't think he's big enough or plays hard enough for a forward. He's fine when his teams on top but I think he'll get little change from teh kiwis or aussies
c) and possibly Peacock at 2nd row- not as mobile as he was and starting to show his age a little I think.

Brave decision to go with Sam and Kyle at the halves - good decision.

Agreed with all points here. Roby should be on the bench, his best work is when he comes off and reaps havoc on tired defences. Wilkin isnt International standard and Peacock is the best front rower in SL (with the possible exception of Graham). Leave the Captain at Prop.

Must be a different Bridge to the one I've ever seen

Yeah it must be.