I think you've got to have two of each, two of Dowes, Radford and Cusack, and two of O'Meley, Moa and Lauaki (unless you are going to play Lauaki in the back row then you can get away with all three). A front of Cusack, O'Meley, Moa and Lauaki would tire quickly (don't forget Cusack is getting on as well) and the hard work would get neglected. However like you say if you played Cusack, Dowes, Radford and O'Meley for example we would lack a bit of penetration.

Moa has to be on the bench as he offers great impact . However I can see him being the one to miss out , Think Yak needs some more game time and just to much of a risk to put him in against saints.

I agree 100%. For me, should be

Front row O'Meley Moa and two from Cusack/Radford/Dowes

Backrow Fitzgibbon Lauaki Manu and two from Tickle/Washbrook/Burnett/Whiting

Last season he was not fully fit and had hardly any training or preparation. I'm waiting to see how he goes after a full pre season and a few games under his belt before judging him one way or the other.

Agreed, to do anything else right now would be stupid. Players need judging 6-10 games into the season not after 1 or 2 friendlies.

I wouldn't play Cusack against Saints but would definitely have him back in when he's fully fit. Radford has done well enough at prop for quite a few people to have taken notice (including me) so I'd have Dowes, Radford, O'Meley and Moa. Lauaki seems a little under-prepared as well so I'd leave him out this week - we definitely need to play him soon though to see what he offers us. I reckon that he and Manu will be fantastic for us on the harder grounds later in the season.

Even if I'm completely wrong, I will still be happy because we have a lot of quality options.

are we playing under union rules

if there's any doubts about berrigan then houghton will occupy one of the bench spots. in fact agar might opt to use houghton off the bench and spell berrigan anyway, same as saints do with cunningham and roby

The trouble with Tickle's angled runs is that it's always the same one, the ball comes out to the right and he makes an angled run back towards the left. He did play 80 mins a lot which is probably why he dropped off tackles at times and gavce penalties away.

I like him as a player but I don't think he should be anywhere near a shoe in.

Spot on. Personally I'm a big fan of Burnett and think he's ready to make his mark this year.

Don't think he had an option to be honest as our numbers where low so was more forced into playing.

Far from a shoe in but i don't feel he has done much wrong to justifiy been dropped from a starting position.