Can we start talking about this game now, rather than a Twitter spat and Latics?

Watching the first couple of games back, they are much faster and a lot less stoppages. Hopefully our superior fitness levels and smaller pack will benefit a lot from the rule changes (excl. Clubb).

How do we expect to line up, something like this?

French
Marshall
Bibby (is Gildart fit?)
Hardaker
Manfredi
Hastings
Leuluai
Byrne
Powell
Clubb
Isa
Farrell
O'Loughlin

Burgess
Bullock
Havard/Harry Smith
Smithies

Really need to keep on top of our discipline around the ruck with this set restart rule coming in. We can give away cheap penalties at the best of times but a couple set restarts could easily cost us games.

I would rather have Hankinson than Bibby, he’s a better defender and his goal kicking is the best at the club. Can’t see him playing and swapping kickers probably does no favours to Hardaker.
I wouldn’t have Clubb in the side either, with the game being played at a quicker pace either his fitness is going to be exposed or the other forwards are going to struggle picking up his slack.

Only injury news I’ve heard is Liam Marshall saying we have 3 players out in an interview. I noticed Gildart and Jake Shorrocks throwing a ball around whilst the team was doing contact work, so guess two are those guys.

As for the team, I think we saw how quick the games were on Sunday and they look unforgiving on big men in the middle. I would’ve been concerned by George Burgess anyway given his start and him having 5 months off and that’s only heightened now. I’m not sure we’ll carry both him and Bullock in the 17 but I’m certain it would be Bullock who’d miss out going off previous selections. I’d find a place for both but there’s no way they can be on the field at the same time.

French
Manfredi Hardaker Hankinson Marshall
Hastings Leuluai
Bullock Powell Partington
Isa Farrell Lockers

Subs
G Burgess, Havard, Smithies, Smith.

I think it’s likely we’ll see Clubb and Byrne in for Bullock and Havard though.

100% This, the usual suspects could kill us with this new rule.
On the plus side if French, Marshall and Manfredi stick their noses into dummy half and run we could pick up loads of penalties.

Forgot about Partington! Is he not still banned?

Yes, still got two games left I think.

Totally forgot about Partington. It’s Clubb (don’t fall over in shock) and Gildart who are injured. Lam just confirmed it in his press conference.

Looks like the props will be Byrne, Havard, Bullock and Burgess then with only Mitch Clark potentially forcing one out.

What about Benny Flower.

I think he will play

Suspended

Is wakey still seen as a gimme, 2 easy points ?

Seeing as we never win at your place, who has said that?