So with Calderwood injured, the two senior players not selected are Moa and Burnett. With all due respect, as senior players go they are two your more junior. With a nearly fully fit squad this is going to happen every round - not in the least controversial IMO.

I think it's more the case that people want the team to be selected on form and also that they want two out of the four props to be able to add a bit of impact. I don't think there's a place for Radford, Dowes and Cusack in the same team - they're all too similar.

There is no form we've played a couple of friendlies one was against Sheffield the other against a side that lost all of it's pre-season games. We will have had harder training sessions than those two run outs.

Think your team relies a bit too much on Dowes

If Calderwood is injured then that makes the selection significantly less odd. Bad luck for Calders, and also for us as I don't think that Hall works that well as a winger. I agree that a Whiting/Hall partnership would be the best combination.

Moa seemed to have shown up well enough in pre-season to have earned a spot. Maybe as Joe says he's gone for fitness, although Cusack didn't look that fit against Rovers. I don't agree with that tactic but it's not a disaster.

The proof will be in how it all pans out at the weekend.

Correct, we have no idea what is happening in training or any thing, for me it looks a strong squad, I am happy with it.

Nail on the head.

Perhaps you're right. Personally, I would have liked to have seen Moa in there and feel that he has done enough to warrant a place.

1 - Tansey
2 - Briscoe
3 - Yeaman
4 - Whiting
5 - Turner or Hall (Think Turner may get the nod after all the positive comments from the camp)
6 Horne
7- Long
8 - Dowes
9 - Berrigan
10 - Cusack
11 - Fitzgibbon
12 - Tickle
13 - Radford

14 - Meley
15 - Lauaki
16 - Houghton
17 - Manu

Washbrook and Hall to miss out.


Think Whiting has done enough to be in the team from the two friendlies we have played. He will hopefully have Manu & Lauaki on the bench for impact with Meley also covering.

I think with Calderwood out, Whiting has to play for his defensive abilities.



I don't suppose it is. If Manu, O'Meley and Hame are on form we should still have enough impact. Of the impact players in the squad, Lauaki is the one I would have left out, if any.

As has been said Hall doesn't do too well as a wingman so I'd be tempted to play Turner on the right with Whiting inside him. Gutted for Calderwood though.
Not too disappointed about the Moa thing, I think O'Meley, Manu and Lauaki give us enough impact for this game, there are going to be periods were we are under pressure and I'd be happier with Cusack for this, I think!

I think Whiting and Turner will get one side with Yeaman & Briscoe on the other. There has been so much positive stuff coming out about Turner in the off season.
Hall will be better when the pitches dry up a bit and his attacking game will come to the fore.

The ground will be heavy this week and i presume Agar will be playing a 3rd prop at loose man. It makes sense though and with a good chance of rain as well it will limit any flowing rugby.

I agree with that. Sam is unlucky because he has done well in pre season. His season isn't over because of this squad selection. The selection is fine for the game. It is up to those selected to be at the top of their game and warrant their places.

1 Tansey
2 Turner
3 Whiting
4 Yeaman
5 Briscoe
6 Horne
7 Long
8 Dowes
9 Houghton
10 Radford
11 Manu
12 Tickle
13 Fitzgibbon

14 O'Meley
15 Cusack
16 Lauaki
17 Berrigan

Close , but Turner & Washy will miss out

Good choice of rotating Dowes with Dowes though