Depending on the results of our next two league games, should we consider sending our youngsters to perpignan for the Catalans game? A trip to the south of France for a game in 30 degree heat isn't the ideal preparation for a challenge cup final.

Just a thought...

Already being discussed in 'Wembley 17' thread

I hope we have a strong side over there as its my first time going to catlaans and i want to see a good squad (not a lot of youngsters).

It should be youngsters and others who are fighting for their place in the final:

Tierney
Charnley
Gelling
Thornley
Manfredi
Hampshire
Smith
Taylor
Logan
Dudson
Tuson
Hughes
Burke

A.Powell
Lauaki
Crosby
S. Powell

Still a strong team and gives Sam, Lockers, Flower, McIlorum, Hansen, Mossop, Richards, Goulding and Green all who are absolute shoe ins (as are charnley and smith) a rest before the final.

that team would get battered and risk hammering the confidence of manfredi and tierney.
it is too many changes, so we would struggle to create fluid moves, whilst our back row is too light and risks losing the forward battle, against a powerful french pack.
i like the ides of resting 3 or 4, but not 9.

I'm sorry but I'd rather see us win at Wembley than you see a full strength side so we can win a meaningless league game.

I'd be looking to let Gelling and Thornley fight it out, the props not guaranteed a spot fight it out and the halfback/hookers in with a shout of a bench spot fight it out.


I'd be looking at something like-

Hampshire
Charnley
Gelling
Thornley
Murphy
Green
Powell
Crosby
Tomkins
Dudson
Tuson
Hughes
Burke

Subs
Taylor
Lauaki
Lloyd
Williams

I'd go:

FB 35 Tierney
RW 2 Charnley
RC 17 Thornley
LC 22 Gelling
LW 5 Richards
SO 6 Green
SH 7 Smith
P 8 Lauaki (to go to SR later in the game)
H 23 L.Tomkins
P 26 Crosby
SR 4 Hughes
SR 16 Tuson
LF 29 Burke

S 21 Taylor
S 20 Dudson
S 30 Spencer
S 32 Hampshire (used in the halves)

I reckon the fringe players will really go for it whereas the established guys might have one eye on Wembley and be more bothered about not getting injured. It'll give Wane a great chance to decide who plays at LC and three of the bench spots (two props and a ball player) at Wembley. Bit unusual going for 3 props off the bench rather than 2 and a back rower but I wouldn't want to risk that all star backrow of Hansen, Farrell and O'Loughlin against that big Les Cats pack

You would expect the coaching staff to know what players are ok going 2 weeks without a game and the players that might need to play 40 mins in Catalan just to stop going rusty.