I know Johnstone has not taking the chances he been given to prove he's up to SL standard etc but to be honest I thought he actually did ok stepping in at 13 against Wakefield. Though his inclusion may well have been out of necessity with the Carlos and Griffin not making the 17. If both are fit along with Shaul I'd be tempted to drop Scott to the bench with Griff in 2nd row, leave Wynn in the centre and Carlos back in at centre and Shaul in at FB and maybe move Lovodua to 13 with Johnstone on the bench to spell Houghton and/or Lovodua.

Probably his best game for us.

That wouldn't be too hard, not a bad defender, but offers nothing going forward.

I just don't think he is good enough for SL and would rather play a young kid on the bench.

That's why we struggle when we get a few injuries. Are there any young prospects who are ready or good enough for the first team at present? A good example was last weekend. I'm not saying Burrell will not make a SL player but Hodgson doesn't trust him now otherwise he would have brought him on. For all the investment in the academy over the last few years the number of players that have established themselves in the first team is very disappointing.

I think Leeds, Wigan and Saints would. We have to trust them and see how they go, a few were bigger up in pre season so have one on the bench and give them 20 minutes.

I'm sure Burrell would have played the last 10 minutes had Connor not been sent off.

Houghtons never offered anything going forward

Yet has been one of our highest earners for last 5 years
J
Joe has done more attacking threat in 1 match than Houghton and Johnstone put together

Without doubt we need much more youth coming through, and hopefully this boost in the academy and reserves with Shenny, the guy from Warry, hopefully will move us into a better place with our youngsters. If you include Wynne, and Walker, who have both shown up quite well, then possibly Litten and Severs, Burrel and Macca, slowly, we’re heading in the right direction at last.

Based on the assumption Shaul is fit, my thoughts would be:

Shaul, Swift, Wynne, Carlos, Mcintosh, Reynolds, Gale, Sao, Houghton, Fash, Griffin, Lane, Johnstone

Bench: Satae, Brown, Lovodua, Scott

Would personally go for Griffin at second row over Scott purely due to size. Saints are huge, feel like griffin would go better against a bigger pack. Wouldn’t snub my nose at lovodua starting at LF after his performance on Sunday.

Good call. My only doubts would be Griffin playing in the pack on sticky ground after serious leg injury? Like to see him at centre to ease his self in.

when Hodgson puts young kids on the bench they get little or no game time

It was the same for Mcintosh and Reynolds on an even worse pitch at Wakefield.
Dont think we have an option but to use the bigger player in the middle.
As i said the thought of Lane,Scott and Johnstone together as the starting second row is frightening from a size point of view