Croft and Eseh will be nowhere near the 17. Bowes has the slightest of chances, but that depends on if MA persists with Kay at 13.

It's a shame Tanginoa isn't quite ready. He would've be perfect for that last bench spot.

Dagger over Lino for me !! To stop/start with Lino , it just flows better imo with Dagger .

Dagger over Lino every time for me. We have a better win percentage with Lino not in the squad.

Kay has proven to be less of a 13 than a 9. He’s a winger who can cover in emergency other positions. I started this season thinking Kay would make a good 9.

Eseh/Battye should take the last bench spot.

Bowes is the only other 9 we have other than Hood. He’s gone well interchanging when required.

Croft was performing well for a string of games at centre before Langi returned. Other than Pratt/Law he’s the only other current centre in the squad.

You’re right about Tanginoa as he would be ideal for that last bench spot.

I just went with what I thought would be our strongest team. Can’t see it varying much from that.

Croft was doing OK but we need better than ok and Griffin gives us that.

It's a huge game and could there be an issue with Hugo's temperament ?
We cant afford to have anyone sent for an early bath.

Proctor shouldn't be fazed by anything but, his fitness is a concern.

His fitness is becoming a myth.
He may look shagged on the field but he does the same minutes as other middles and his stats though not the highest in number, are the highest in quality.
We are going to need strong characters on Friday and he is one.

If fit this would be my team

Jowitt
Lineham
Lynne
Kay
Franco
Dagger
Gale
Bowdan
Hood
Whitbread
Pitts
Griffin
Proctor

Dave
Ashurst
Bowes
Atoni

Although he covered there pretty well, I wouldn't start the game with Kay at centre.
Griffin has to play at centre.
I'd have Kay on the bench in place of Bowes.

Il go with that, good bench, if they take a chance on whitbread an he isnt 100%., dagger over lino for me

Come on, minutes mean nothing when you spend 80% of them on your haunches and failing to get back behind the play the ball following an opposition kick.

What do you mean by stats are of the highest quality? And which stats? I ask genuinely as I don't know where to find detailed stats for the season but would be interested to see. Going from my observations, his carries per game, meters per carry, post contact meters etc must be awful.