Just noticed Castlefords 19 man squad for tomorrow match vs Saints (wish this was on sky) is literally there squad numbers 1 - 19 not one injury in their whole squad, credit to their conditioning staff.

I know we all loved last years charge to the grand final despite being down to the bare bones of the squad but imagine heading into this years playoffs with a team like this

Tomkins
Manfredi
Gelling
Gildart
Burgess
Williams
Leuluai
FPN
Powell
Flower
Bateman
Farrell
O'Loughlin

Tataui
Tomkins
McIlorum
Sutton

With the likes of Clubb, Isa, Sharrocks, Tierney, Marshall, Davies, CFarrell, Escare Gregson all pushing for places.

The only positive of the injury situation the last 12 months is we've unearthed some gems in the later part of our squad, Marshall, Davies, Gregson. The squad looks massive now.

Back 3 of Tomkins, Burgess and Manfredi and a back row of Bateman, Farrell and Lockers. Any team in the world would be proud of that.

Anyways pipe dream but we can only hope!

Naming a full 1-19 is pretty amazing in this day and age. I'd be amazed if that's happened more than a couple of times in the last 5 years.

When you compare that to our seemingly consistent 6-7 players injured you have to wonder.

If we could name a full squad every week we'd win the league at a canter.

At full strength I'd go:

FB 22 Escare
RW 35 Marshall
RC 3 Gelling
LC 4 Gildart
LW 5 Burgess
SO 6 Williams
SH 7 Leuluai
P 13 O'Loughlin
H 9 McIlorum
P 10 Flower
SR 20 Isa
SR 12 Farrell
LF 14 Bateman

S 1 S.Tomkins
S 11 J.Tomkins
S 17 Tautai
S 19 Sutton

Don't think Manfredi will be the best option after so long out, not been impressed with Nu'uausala or Clubb this season. Sam Tomkins on the bench for now because we don't know how well he will play upon return, definitely don't think we should be moving/dropping Escare.

Tomkins
Manfredi
gelling
gildart
burgess
williams
tommy
FPN
MM
Flower
Bateman
Farrell
Lockers


Powell
TT
Joel
Clubb

Starting to feel like a forlorn dream that we should ever get a full-strength team onto the pitch. When you can't even start the season with one, you maybe should assume that it isn't your destiny.

This, or maybe Sutton on the bench for Clubb. I think Grimmy needs to lie down!

I dunno, I like Grimmy's team. Don't like the idea of dropping Escaré when he's been one of our best, if not the best performer this season.

We are considerably in a better position than we were a few weeks ago with the return of Faz, Lockers, Gelling, Sutton, Micky Mac and Burgess.

The problem we have now is that the rest are medium-long term injuries apart from Tierney I believe: (as per dates in Wigan post a few weeks ago)


Tierney - Due back anytime.
Sam - End May
Gildart - June
Bateman - June
Clubb - June
Manfredi - Autumn

Let's hope we can have a period free from injury for the next few weeks.

Dropping our two best backs and one of our best forwards on current form? I know that is 1-17 shirt numbers, but it doesn't mean it is our best side

I think Gildart is the big one. Getting Bateman, Sam and Dom back will be great and adds a bit of stardust to the team but their positions are well covered. Losing Gildart along with Gelling's injury means we're nowhere near as potent out wide - in attack or defence.

Just a gut feeling but I don't think we'll see either Manfredi or Gildart this season.

Or indeed suspended after that tackle yesterday?

And a deserved 1 or 2 game ban