: Sun Mar 29, 2009 5:20 pm  

Potter said in the press (or was it on the Saints website?) that he doesn't think Long will be ready for the CC match. Everyone else from the last Leeds game should be back though, but what state Wheeler is in after the Wakey game I don't know so I have no idea who would step in to cover Long.

: Sun Mar 29, 2009 5:21 pm  

SaintsFan wrote:

Potter said in the press (or was it on the Saints website?) that he doesn't think Long will be ready for the CC match. Everyone else from the last Leeds game should be back though, but what state Wheeler is in after the Wakey game I don't know so I have no idea who would step in to cover Long.

Roby at scrum half ?

: Sun Mar 29, 2009 5:44 pm  

If we can put out a full strength team against Leeds it would be as follows

Wellens
Gardner
Gidley
Gilmour
Meli
Pryce
Long
Hargreaves
Cunningham (capt)
Graham
Wilkin
Flannery
Clough

subs Pulatua, Cayless, Faasavalu, Roby

Ive gone for this team as Graham and Hargreaves are the established starting front two, Also the back row is playing outstandingly well and doesnt deserve to be changed


The bench also has an immense amount of size and impact on it.
It was shown in the League match that we had the advantage in the forwards , with Leeds being better in the backs.
This bench to me just further strengthens our pack.

For Wigan a lot will depend on knocks, and i will be surprised if there are not a number of changes.
I expect Wigan to defeat Saints due to the intensity of the cup game.

: Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:05 pm  

I dont think Saints are that confident about Long being fit. With Eastmond unfit and Wheeler going off at Wakey I wonder if hes thinking about Lomax for scrum half.
Its a huge game I know but I dont like messing about with a numer of positions to compensate for Long.

: Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:14 pm  

Don Brennan wrote:

I dont think Saints are that confident about Long being fit. With Eastmond unfit and Wheeler going off at Wakey I wonder if hes thinking about Lomax for scrum half.
Its a huge game I know but I dont like messing about with a numer of positions to compensate for Long.

6 - Leon
7 - Wilko
8 - Jammer
10 - Bryn
11 - Brian
12 - Tony P
13 - Lego Head

14 - Robes
15 - Matty
16 - Mo
17 - Caylo

T'is the only way to go for this one. We can't go throwing a 14 year old fullback in at scrum half against the mighty Rob Burrow.

: Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:21 pm  

The Wilkin/Pryce combo seemed to work at Wakey but what position(s) do(es) that leave unfilled if the same was used for Leeds? I'm confused about the positions because this season everyone seems to be everywhere!

: Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:26 pm  

Wellens
Gardner
Gidley
Gilmour
Meli
Pryce
Wilkin
Hargreaves
KC
Graham
Ashurst
Flannery
Clough

Roby
Fa'asavalu
Puletua
Cayless

: Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:28 pm  

Don Brennan wrote:

I dont think Saints are that confident about Long being fit. With Eastmond unfit and Wheeler going off at Wakey I wonder if hes thinking about Lomax for scrum half.
Its a huge game I know but I dont like messing about with a numer of positions to compensate for Long.

He has Ellis available as well

: Sun Mar 29, 2009 7:06 pm  

confused.con wrote:

He has Ellis available as well

I wouldn't pick him against Leeds, he looked a touch lost in the friendly I saw him in against Widnes and hasn't been near the first team squad since. If all our half backs are injured I think he'll go with Pryce and Wilkin at half back as we can cover the back row.

In respect of the teams for the games ahead, personally I'd pick the best team available on the day. If anyone is injured then they obviously don't play, but reduced training should help with any fatigue, and lets be honest, the wheels look like they are starting to come off the bandwagon that is Hull at the moment.

: Sun Mar 29, 2009 7:30 pm  

Wellens
Gardner
Gidley
Gilmour
Meli
Pryce
Long
Graham
Cunningham
Hargreaves
Puletua
Wilkin
Flannery

Bench
Clough, Roby, Fa'asavalu, Cayless

I think we will patch up players that are due ops and would be 50/50 for SL clashes at this point of the season. Leeds is all that matters at this point.
Forget Wigan, Hull and whoever else has to follow them, they can be dealt with at the time!