Likewise. 6 tries, 15 goals and a drop goal in just 6 appearances since he returned and his all round performances have been in the main very good. Plus bags of big game experience - 3x grand finals (m.o.m. in one), world club challenge winner, England caps (including a world cup). For me he is a big miss.

Yates had a massive work rate against Sheffield in a poor side
He was top prop in both tackles and carries with no missed tackles
The problem is, he didn't make massive average gain across his carries.

I'd have him in over Kavanagh but Scruton, Mullally and Simon are the ones who are going get us on the front foot.

The backs kinda pick themselves if Lee Smith isn't playing, which is a bit of a hole, but the pack, I'd go with this

Scruton
Sio
Walker
Kirmond
Washbrook
Simon

Moore
Yates
Mullally
Ali/Annakin

I can't decide between Ali and Annakin. Annakin's work rate was much higher but we are lacking someone who can break the line and Ali is exactly that.

Is it even possible that we could focus on the players that do want to play for us rather than those that don't!

No Lee Smtih - if he ain't there and he ain't injured, allegedly, then there's a reason why he isn't there!

That squad can do the job in hand!

I know it's a little negative but not so long ago we were looking at this team

Locke
Owen
Tupou
Arundal
Smith
Miller
Smith
Scruton
Sio
Anderson
Molloy
Ashurst
Simon

Godinet
Mullally
Walker/Yates
Ali

With Kirmond coming in late to add even more

Oh.....wish I'd not posted the "other" team now.
............I'll get my coat!

Chuff me sideways!

It's a thread that discusses who is in the squad and who isn't. If you don't like that, tough, don't read it! You need to get off that high horse you've been on recently.

Maybe he's asked not to play

I quite like the high-horse!

Sorry, just mithered that there is not enough attention to those who want to play for us and too much lamenting those that aren't or won't!

It's also a matter of comparing what has worked and what hasn't.
When we had Ashurst, Molloy and Simon in the back row our pack was really smashing other teams around, Bradford being case in point.

As we have lost some, it is not a bad thing to compare as we still need to replicate.
Kirmond coming back is a big boost in my opinion. I watched him against Sheffield and he worked hard and made a lot of ground. We have missed that.
We need to see if Miller can put him through a gap like Smith could but either way his work rate and will to win will help us a lot.

In terms of who wants to play, I would have likes some of those missing but one of the big influences on the game will be from those playing here next year. Smith and Locke were gone anyway. Would they have given up early? Miller and Annakin and Sio and Scruton will all feel the consequence of the win or loss. They are the best players to play in a game like this.

Which is perfectly fine and come game day they will no doubt have everyones full support. Bit in the meantime i think its fair to discuss why certain players aren't playing and why is it they seem to not want to play for us?