rubber duckie wrote:
I'm happy with 1-17 as the starting 17, perhaps I'd reward Penny over Russell because of appearances and tries scored. In fact I'd go as far to say on a couple of occasions we won games on the back of Penny's inclusion.
I agree to a point, Penny deserves his place. But for me, Russell brings huge 'go-forward' and a decent amount of pace to the backline. For a squad (according to other threads) lacking punch up front, a meter maker like Russell is just what we need. I'd have to find a spot for him.
I know his limitations at fullback, but with 2 half backs and a ball playing loose, I think we could cope with having a running fullback as opposed to a playmaker.
The back three of Russell, Lineham and Penny has meters and points in it, I think that should be first choice. Sandow and Gidley in the halves. Ratchford is more than competent in the centres, and may benefit from playing wider, in a bit of space.
Beyond that, the team picks itself