Interview from Smith saying Danny back in at 9 on Sunday if he's fit, so Nu back in the halves with M.Smith and Hoy back to the bench?

In the same article Tony alludes to keeping M Smith at 7, FWIW I thought he looked more comfortable there compared to playing at 6 in the derby.

I wouldn't be shocked if Hoy remained at 6 and have Nu Brown come off the bench for Houghton, which in my opinion is something we should utilise more often.

I'd like him to keep Brown at 9 tbh but reading the latest article sounds like Houghton comes straight back in at hooker.

Think it'll be Hoy that makes way.

I can't see Smith dropping his captain from the starting line up, which is going to mean one of the more creative players are dropped to the bench, can see it been Brown, Hoy and Smith has a better balance than Brown and Smith.

If Danny is starting, stick Nu Brown at 13 to give us a bit more creativity. Feels like a waste having two quota players on the bench

Seems strange that without any real recognised LF and with Houghton being back along with Nu Brown that TS is looking at Houghton starting at 9 when he's spoken plenty of times about how Danny can/will play at 13 (and he's our best option there currently). Think Hoy & Smith offer us more and actually seem to work better. Get a feeling Balmforth isn't going to feature sadly.

100% this, we aren't in the position to have a NZ international sat on the bench for 30 minutes, if he wants Houghton at 9, then have Brown at 13, think he gane would suit that position more than Houghton.

They can interchange throughout the game

Expect Carlos to be named, whether he plays is a different story.

Think Carlos will get another week, if not 2

Walker
Russell
McIntosh
Carlos
Martin
Hoy
Smith
Ashworth
Houghton
J.Brown
Okunbur
Staveley
Sao
Subs
Bullock
F.Brown
Lane
Gardiner