we need to be quick out the blocks v saints, hopefully they will have cup hangover will Lomax being rested for this one? Saints know come finals time, they will be up there, like us they seem to be short on halves atm

Let's not get too excited. When was the last time we beat Saints? 2017?

They pushed a strong Wigan team all the way. Even without Dodd and Lomax they're still the bench mark team. We'll have to give an 8/9 out of 10 performance, and have some luck to get something

Roby is still utter class. All eyes on the league now for them, and home advantage. Seems like we"ll have a few back - Gale, Grub. swift, Vulikijapani - so that might help (or not - seem to have played better with makeshift halfback pairings). Any news on McNamara?

Think it was a week by week thing with McNamara. Its just a waiting game till his back settles down

I'd have all of those returning in the team apart from Reynolds, who looks unfit and cannot tackle, which against Saints would be suicidal with their intensity and backing up. Vulikijapani looked very good during his recent stints at centre and his defensive play has improved greatly this season.

Same as Linnett can understand if it was a final

I wouldn't have risked it in a final either, look at Keith Senior in 2005

Gavin Miller in 1986

apart from Griffin

Swift, Griffin, Bowden, Gale and Reynolds back.

Evans out.

Tough to pick the team this week.

Test of Hodgson to not put Grffin back at centre.

Connor
Shaul
Wynne
Carlos
Mcintosh
Lovodua
Sao
Houghton
Fash
Mau
Lane
Brown

Griffin
Taylor
Satae
Johnstone/Reynolds/Balmforth

Tough on Mitch and Swift

Grub, Gale, Griffin and Swift to be named in the squad.

Evans out with a minor pec strain.

Scott could be back next week. McNamara out at least another 4.

Even with Reynolds back, I'd stick with Lovodua at 6.

Decisions to make a centre. Does Griffin come straight back in or do we go with Mitch or Wynne?

I'd be tempted to go

Connor, Swift, Wynne, Carlos, Mcintosh
Lovodua, Gale
Sao, Houghton, Taylor, Lane, Ma'u, Fash
Brown, Satae, Griffin, JJ/Balmforth

Connor
Swift
Wynne
Carlos
Mcintosh
Reynolds
Gale
Sao
Houghton
Satae
Lane
Mau
Fash

Brown
Taylor
Lovodua
Griffin

Think it would be harsh to drop Wynne in Griffins return after recent matches. Would like to see Griffin slot into 2nd row and rotate Lane/Fash at LF. Ideally Lovodua off the bench to match Lussick who will come off the bench for Saints. Rest of the team speaks for itself.

FWIW, i dont agree with Gale/Reynolds coming straight back into the squad, but this is a realistic squad I can see Hodgson naming

O think it would be a big mistake going with Reynolds and Gale, both too slow and not great defensively. Our worst performance this year was with them at halfback. Also Lovodua wasted on the bench.

Connor
McIntosh
Carlos
Wynne
Swift
Reynolds
Gale
Sao
Houghton
Brown
Lane
Mau
Johnstone

Satae
Taylor
Lovaduo
Fash

Lovodua for Johnstone, Griffin on the bench, and I would go with that.