I see Rowan Stephenson (along with Ellis Lingard and Robbie Brook) has been selected for the Yorkshire Academy squad, so could he perhaps step up for a game or two ??

Lomax has an ankle issue.


There really aren't many halves about - and not many clubs will let their first reserve go out on loan. As mentioned before, our options are basically Oli Leyland, dipping into the Championship, or Rowan Stephenson. 


Leyland can't get another game under Sam Burgess, and I can see why. He's a talented, mercurial type who is best playing off the cuff when the pressure's off, and that doesn't suit Warrington. He's out on loan at Widnes so I'm sure would be happier playing with us. But I'm not sure it'd be wise.


As for the Champ, there are a few really handy halves - likes of Gilmore, Keyes, Walker, Shorrocks - but it doesn't necessarily mean they'll be good to slot into an SL team at a week's notice, or that they'll want to take the opportunity with little guarantee of a future offer.


Curious to see how we go this weekend. But if Trueman's absence is indefinite, then I'm finally ready to see Stephenson get a shot. If he's picked for Academy Origin he must be pretty handy.

I don't know how old Stephenson is Fil or his capability, bit I've mentioned earlier clubs like Saints and Wigan often thrown young ones in for the odd game or two!Perhaps Stephenson isn't up to it yet? 

Almost every one of the options mentioned would be better than Pitts. 

Even Leyland who I don?t particularly rate. 

Surprised that no one has mentioned a half back at Featherstone.

Referee on Saturday Arron Moore AGAIN!!!.

Well let's hope he gives us something this week 'cos he certainly didn't last week 

The thing is although Butcher names some decent players, the difficulty is exactly the point at the end
1) although better than Pitts individually, will they fit into our team or infact disrupt it for a while
2) why would they come knowing it is a temporary role. You'd have to be pretty confident or pretty desperate to take that chance.


Clearly Powell knows what Stephenson is like. If he isn't ready it's better not to break him. I guess we'll see.

Exactly. As far as I know, Gilmore, Keyes and Walker all have other jobs too, so wouldn't necessarily be able to take the time off to do it without much chance of a longer deal. So until Trueman or Russell get back, our stand off is going to be Jay Pitts, Max Jowitt, Liam Hood (if Doyle gets back sooner), Rowan Stephenson, or Oli Leyland (unlikely). Take your pick.

With Seth missing I'd actually change both SR for Catalan and play Vagana and Croft
Griffin maybe on the bench but that heat is not for older guys.

Although we escaped with a win verses a very poor Cas side, Catalan is a whole different proposition.
Huge pack, decent halves and some quality in their back line.
Presumably, we will put Jowitt in the halves and bring Rouke into FB and find a more mobile option for the right wing but, who knows ?

Think your overestimating a Catalan side who started poor and have picked up recent wins vs the bottom 3 mostly in Salford x 2, Hudds abd Cas. Though there?s some quality and we shouldn?t underestimate them as you say. 

Max stays at 1. If Powell was going to put Max at 6 he would?ve last week so changing it again wouldn?t be smart imo. Consistency in spine is key and again you play your best players in their best positions. 


We have 80% (4/5) of our starting spine available so the best is to run with that and fill in at 6 best you can. 


Personally I?d run with Pitts back to 13 to re-ignite the link between Pitts and Jowitt out the back that we had success with before injuries. 


I?d rather Rourke at 6 than move Max from 1. Last week Max was at 1 and got us back level so it was the right call. Maybe even Stevenson or Abrahams could get a shot for a game but we?ll have to see what the squads like tomorrow. 


Agree about the wing but I feel Powell won?t be putting Scott on the edge in this weather and we may have Russell available and possibly Walmsley who would be the better choice.