I was being facetious - I don't attribute that win to Wigan's mystery illness; that was Shaun Wane's excuse, not mine!

What's the opinion on the halfback position? Anyone warmed to Hampshire after only game at half back for us or does Finny return?

I personally think the time has come where you have to weigh up the positives/negatives of having Finn in the 13. His in game kicking game has been nothing short of rubbish so far this year and his goal kicking just about okay. He's got it upstairs but it is starting to hurt us in attack with how slow he is physically in my opinion. I think it's time we started looking to the future and blooding Hampshire - the boy needs to be getting games and I think he deserves a shot all things considered.

I'd also be picking Batchelor/Crowther over Horo from what I've seen. Not that Horo doesn't lack effort. I can't fault his effort but he doesn't particularly stand out in attack and he's a liability in terms of discipline in defence.

Mr Hewitt's lad by any chance?

I think that's a fair assessment, although the here and now is the most important, one of the keys in the future for hopefully this side to progress, is how to replace Finn & Grix eventually, they can't go on forever obviously, and I think Hampshire & Jowitt deserve a crack to see if they can be the ones' to take their places long term. I would like to see both of them maybe play in at least half of the games.

Who I deliberately didn't name.

I thought Horo had his best game for us so far at Hull, likewise Pauli Pauli. I would expect both to be in against Leeds.

I would go for MCB but expect BJB to come back in.

Wouldnt be surprised to see Arona given a week off and Annakin/ Baldwinson to take his spot for this one.

Grix
MCB
Lyne
Toupo
Johnstone
Miller
Hampshire
Hirst
Randell
Huby
Ashurst
Batchelor
Horo

Wood
kirmond
Pauli
Baldwinson

Oh apologies. I didn't realise this was top secret, sensitive information. Especially, when it could be identified as easily as it was.

I agree with everything you have said there but I would not be throwing Crowther into the mix, championship standard for me although is still young enough to prove me wrong. Can only see the same happening with him that happened with Kyle Trout, on the books as a lad and loaned out every season with the occasional first team appearance.

Mullally returns for Leeds, JJB back in and Delaney rested.

Probable Leeds lineup

Golding
Briscoe
Watkins
Handley
Hall
Moon
Myler
Mullally
Parcell
Singleton
Ward
Ablett
JJB

With 4 of these 6 on the bench
Dwyer
Sutcliffe
Oledzki
Smith
Walters
Ferres

Down to the forwards to have a big game looking at Leeds line up.

Would like to see:

Grix
Johnstone
Tupou
Arundel
Bishop

Miller
Hampshire

England
Wood
Huby
Ashurst
Batchelor
Arona

Kirmond
Randell
Pauli
Hirst

Tough to leave Finn out but I thought Hampshire had a good first half last week. We were on the back foot last week 2nd half so the half’s got little chance to do anything productive. Forwards need to be ripping into Leeds from the off imo.

19 man squad:

Tinirau Arona
Joe Arundel
Matty Ashurst
Jordan Baldwinson
James Batchelor
Ryan Hampshire
Keegan Hirst
Justin Horo
Craig Huby
Tom Johnstone
Ben Jones-Bishop
Max Jowitt
Danny Kirmond
Reece Lyne
Jacob Miller
Pauli Pauli
Tyler Randell
Bill Tupou
Kyle Wood

No Finn or Grix.

To be fair, it was of the "Don't tell 'em, Pike" type of thing.

Not surprised to see Finn and Grix rested.

They are key and influential members of our squad.

It must be remembered that both played for Ireland in the World Cup.

We will get the best out of this pair by being selective in the games that
they play.

We have very able deputies who need to be at their best when these
opportunities arise.

Looking forward to the next 2 games v Leeds and Saints.