I think we need to play a forward heavey bench against a big Catalan side. Just one spot for someone to cover hooker and in the backs. With Whiting still out I would have to go with Tommy Lee because of his versatility.

Play him 80 mins if he keeps the recent performances up. He's done it before!

Hall
Calderwood
Horne
Yeaman
Briscoe
Horne
Thorman
Dowes
Berrigan
Cusack
Manu
Tickle
Radford

Houghton
Thackray
Burnett
King

Still think Agar will go

Hall
Calderwood
Horne
Yeaman
Briscoe
Horne
Thorman
Dowes
Berrigan
Cusack
Burnett
Tickle
Radford

Houghton
Thackray
Manu
Lee

Not saying it would be my choice personnaly I would replace Lee with King (or Maloney in if King not fit)

with dowes being more fitter he can play longer so we might only need one prop but i would put king or maloney just in case

Agree with you danny but I think Lee will be a bit of insurance for agar in case Hall doesn't work out as he can cover more positions (hooker / 6 or 7 etc) if the team needs to be changed round

dont want to break up the pairing tho

im pretty confident hall will do well

Lee could cover 13 to move tickle into the second row and radford to prop if needed.

Personally I'll be pleased if he has a steady, competent performance with the basics right and nothing else. I think it will be the only way he will avoid the critics jumping out en masse again. The lad could score a hat-trick and set up another 4 single handedly, but if he costs us so much as one scrum he'll probably be vilified.

IMO he should try to play it calm, concentrate on the basics, and although it sounds silly, try to avoid bringing attention to himself individually.

I'm trying not to find this statement funny but, how would he deliberately bring attention to himself? Pink wig, red nose, welly boots perhaps?

I know what you mean, but things like; trying his offloading game on kick returns, or attempting to receive a kick on the burst if he's seen a gap. I don't mean deliberately, I just mean he should curb his attacking instincts when the possible outcome is too dangerous to avoid putting himself under the microscope. Walk before you can run, so to speak.

This may sound strange given I've previously lamented our percentage approach, but I just think Hall's position tonight is about not trying too hard.

Hall is one of the few 'flair' players we have and should be encouraged to express himself (remeber that try down the touchline). I'm sure in time he'll know when is and when isn't a good time to try the 'out of the ordinary'.

Any how, off to the game now........COME ON 'ULL!!!!!!

I'd already set off before your post.

Totally agree with the principle, I just didn't want him to be in a position where he could be blamed for anything tonight as we could be needing him for a few games, in which he'll need to be reasonably confident rather than reeling from a slating. FWIW, I thought he did well. Certainly enough to retain his place should neither Byrne or Tony return next week.