I am a bit surprised that Jordan Abdul wasn't considered for the England academy team when he is better than half of the players named.

We need all the points we can get at the moment. Blooding a youngster however much potential they have now will not do anyone any good. Physically it's a massive ask let alone anything else.
Some say put him in against the "lesser" teams. Who might they be at the moment. I'd say WTW are the 12th best side in the comp at the moment (on paper) so that doesn't leave many "lesser" teams.
Let him develop slowly. U19s dual reg and a pre season game or two. But not in a situation like now when the pressure is really starting to build.

He has been playing Loose Forward for the academy which really suits his skills.

Think he let himself down last year with his fitness, I've been told he has really knuckled down this year and he is having big year so far, certainly the best player in the 19's this year.

It's hard for clubs to blood youngsters especially for teams like us who are regularly involved in close games where it's just not possible to have a youngster on the bench unless injuries dictate otherwise, plus the fact your only allowed 4 subs and how you use those subs can have a massive effect on the result makes it difficult to fit a youngster on the bench.

So I've often thought that having a fith sub would be a good idea but it has to be a youngster i.e under a certain age and under so many first team starts, keep him separate from the normal rotation of the four subs and not to be used for injures as well so basically if you find yourself running away with a game then you have the option of bringing on a youngster to gain some first team experience.

This seasons already over, giving him a game against London makes sense. If we have the mentality to think we can't win if he plays then he can't be any good.

There's a difference between having the potential to be good and actually being good. HTW is still very much in the potential category. He's doing well at U19 level but that doesn't mean he's necessarily ready to make the step up to senior level just yet.

It's London away I can't understand the negative apathy towards him playing. If I remember Tommy Lee made his debut at around the same age against a similar side in Leigh who were awful and bottom, and he had a great game.

It was only supposed to be Wakey at home this weekend and look how that turned out so I wouldn't go thinking that London away is a sure thing. We drew with them away last year as I recall.

And I wouldn't say it's "negative apathy" towards him playing. Most of us want to see him in action. But only when the timing is right. We don't want to rush him.

Wakefield thrashed London at London this year. London away is a sure thing.

The "substitute" rule was great when it was 2 players and 2 interchanges, based primarily on covering for injuries.
Now it has evolved into a tactical mess, where if you're lucky it can work in your favour, but equally it can leave you struggling.

Only thinking out loud here - why not have 8 subs on the bench, with only 4 allowed to take the field.
This would allow the likes of HTW to get his chance and backs in general the opportunity to cover for injuries.

After all, players are getting paid a lot of money nowadays anyway, so give them a better chance of playing.

Works in football. They have seven players on the bench but only get to use three. A similar system could be adopted for RL.

Wakefield also beat us. What's your point?