So... with a few back (Whitbread, Franco, Griffin..) it will be interesting to see what 17 we go with for Friday.

Here's mine;

FB - Jowitt
RW - Lineham
RC - Lyne
LC - Griffin
LW - Senior
HB - Lino
HB - Gale
PR - Whitbread
HK - Hood
PR - Bowden
SR - Pitts
SR - Ashurst
LF - Proctor

INT - Kay
INT - Fifita
INT - Atoni
INT - Battye

IMO we need Kay back at 9. His running game off the back of Fifita's quick PTB's could be the difference on Friday night.

Dagger unlucky to miss out. However, quite frankly, there's just no room for him.

I'd go the same, except Dagger over Lino. Whichever way Mash goes, he needs to pick one or the other and not try and fit both in for the sake of it.

The only weakness is cover in the backs.
With Dagger in there, every position is covered.

I am really torn with Lino v Dagger or Kay and Dagger both being in as cover, thus losing a forward.

A few mistakes were made last time on trying to squeeze Kay and Dagger in. They either start or don’t play. Kay can fill in at 9 but despite me wishing and seeing him as a 9 he is just a cover option there. I like to keep players in their natural position where possible and I think the team below can continue the home form. My only reservation was Lino but he just gets the nod over Dagger/Kay assuming we see them perform like Wigan game. My team would be.

Jowitt
Lineham
Lyne
Croft
Senior
Lino
Gale
Whitbread
Hood
Bowden
Ashurst
Griffin
Pitts

Fifita
Atoni
Bowes
Eseh

Proctor out for me and would have Hugo back in

Think I’d go with that but I’m not sure Whitbread will play…just a hunch!

We can’t play players such as Bowes and Dagger in sentiment and I’m certain he will play Lino but just my opinions

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.