Wakey (H) : Wed Apr 19, 2023 12:32 pm  

What are we thinking for this one? Is it an opportunity to go into the international break strong, or an opportunity to give some of the lads who've played all season a rest (especially after the last 3 weeks)?

I believe Powell is suffering from two badly swollen black eyes, so not sure if he'll play? Likewise, will Faz get a much needed rest?

Re: Wakey (H) : Wed Apr 19, 2023 12:35 pm  

Id like to see us bring in 3 or 4 'young uns' but not more than that. Wakey seem easy pickings so far this season but theres always a risk of taking a team too lightly

Re: Wakey (H) : Wed Apr 19, 2023 12:41 pm  

Not sure we have much of a choice but to play some of the younger players due to injuries but we should (fingers crossed) still have more than enough to get by Wakefield.

Likely Hill, Nsemba and Forber to replace Singleton, Farrell and Powell.

Any win would do going into the international break.

Re: Wakey (H) : Wed Apr 19, 2023 12:45 pm  

[Gareth] wrote:

Id like to see us bring in 3 or 4 'young uns' but not more than that. Wakey seem easy pickings so far this season but theres always a risk of taking a team too lightly

That's probably my thinking too.

Looking at the back row - Isa, Smithies & KPP have all missed games due to one reason or another, but Faz hasn't. Swapping Faz for Nesemba seems like a no brainer right? Likewise Hill straight in for Singo doesn't impact us that much Ellis, Byrne, Havard & Hill as the four props is strong enough.

Maybe Thornley might get a spot in the squad too?

Re: Wakey (H) : Wed Apr 19, 2023 1:12 pm  

It’s been a tough run and we’re in a far better position that we could’ve hoped prior to the Leigh game. I think the target may have been to raise for those 3 games and then use this game and the England break to try and let the players refresh but we’ll see.

The overseas guys will get time off next week, so they should play IMO. The ones I think will be selected for England (Marshall, Faz and Havard) I’d rest. I also think KPP, Smithies and Smith will be selected in the England squad/team but I’d play them. The first 2 because they’ve had rests anyway and Smith because we need him.

That would leave us something like-

French
Miski Thornley Wardle King
Shorrocks Smith
Byrne Powell Ellis
KPP Isa Smithies

Subs
Mago Hill Nsemba O’Neill

Re: Wakey (H) : Wed Apr 19, 2023 1:37 pm  

Try to run a score up, it'll be a bit gutting if Saints beat Wire and we don't turn their points difference advantage around.
Hill in for Singleton and with Smithies back we can give Farrell a break, that would be it for me.

Re: Wakey (H) : Wed Apr 19, 2023 1:46 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

It’s been a tough run and we’re in a far better position that we could’ve hoped prior to the Leigh game. I think the target may have been to raise for those 3 games and then use this game and the England break to try and let the players refresh but we’ll see.

The overseas guys will get time off next week, so they should play IMO. The ones I think will be selected for England (Marshall, Faz and Havard) I’d rest. I also think KPP, Smithies and Smith will be selected in the England squad/team but I’d play them. The first 2 because they’ve had rests anyway and Smith because we need him.

That would leave us something like-

French
Miski Thornley Wardle King
Shorrocks Smith
Byrne Powell Ellis
KPP Isa Smithies

Subs
Mago Hill Nsemba O’Neill

Hampshire is not far off now, it will be interesting to see if he makes the squad this week. If not, I would imagine that he would be in the frame post the international fixture.

Re: Wakey (H) : Wed Apr 19, 2023 4:34 pm  

Zig wrote:

Hampshire is not far off now, it will be interesting to see if he makes the squad this week. If not, I would imagine that he would be in the frame post the international fixture.

I think Stu M said he’s pencilled in for the next reserves game for his comeback, which is next weekend isn’t it? Minutes in that and they may look at putting him on the bench away at Hull FC. I’m looking forward to seeing how he goes. I get the feeling he’ll be a shrewd bit of business for us.

Re: Wakey (H) : Wed Apr 19, 2023 8:17 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

I think Stu M said he’s pencilled in for the next reserves game for his comeback, which is next weekend isn’t it? Minutes in that and they may look at putting him on the bench away at Hull FC. I’m looking forward to seeing how he goes. I get the feeling he’ll be a shrewd bit of business for us.

I agree.

Re: Wakey (H) : Thu Apr 20, 2023 12:21 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

It’s been a tough run and we’re in a far better position that we could’ve hoped prior to the Leigh game. I think the target may have been to raise for those 3 games and then use this game and the England break to try and let the players refresh but we’ll see.

The overseas guys will get time off next week, so they should play IMO. The ones I think will be selected for England (Marshall, Faz and Havard) I’d rest. I also think KPP, Smithies and Smith will be selected in the England squad/team but I’d play them. The first 2 because they’ve had rests anyway and Smith because we need him.

That would leave us something like-

French
Miski Thornley Wardle King
Shorrocks Smith
Byrne Powell Ellis
KPP Isa Smithies

Subs
Mago Hill Nsemba O’Neill

I'd leave King and Wardle in the centres and play Thornley on the wing. He played there before his injury to good effect. I would probably play Thornley right wing, Miski left too.

Also Powell looked like he had a broken nose against Wire and I've heard that he's very swollen. If true, I would start O'Neil with Forber spelling from the bench.