I hate to do this to you but the person most likely to fill his shoes on Friday is a real life world cup medal winner and has played internationally at hooker, and apparently in a very impressive fashion. He also won the time trials at Saints recently, so he is a nippy bloke too, and is crafty as well (different from Robes in that respect). He also works hard in defence around the ruck. The Saints fans returning from Hudds at the weekend reckoned we didn't actually miss Robes when he went off injured so it might not be quite as fortuitous as you think to have Roby off the pitch.

#justsaying

Have saints really become that sluggish that a hooker is the fastest man on their books?

Saints line up looks excellent, Roby will be a big miss of course but it's probably Hohaia's best position so they will be fine. I can't see us getting within 12 points.

I'm not convinced with Saints line up. Gaskell and Lomax are getting alot of stick on the Saints forum. Looking at the pack and the bench we need to target those guys as i believe we will/could get the better of them for sure.

I think if our team were playing to their full potential, we'd be quite capable of causing an upset. As it stands, I think we're probably too early in the process of turning things around for us to have any realistic chance of a victory. Unless something significant happens with our attack this week, of course.

One thing's for sure though, if we do manage to come away with two points, Hull Kingston Seb and his mates will find a way to see it as a poor performance.

" Only won due to Roby missing "

Gaskell and Lomax were excellent last year so I wouldn't read too much into the criticism. Look at the last two defeats, a last minute wonder try against Cats and an interception try from their Hudds own line. They are not playing badly by any means. Their pack lacks size but has lots of mobility and pace.

By all acounts it sounds like they play alot like we have, playing well in 10-15 minute spells. I really can see us pipping them on Friday for some reason though Our interchanges will be massive for us imo.

I hope your right.Saying that, our sluggish start has to change sometime.It was intresting what Westy had to say on Airlie Night.Quote"We will just click and some team is going to cop it".I hope he is right to, but sooner rather than later.

Which game were you watching ?? gaskell kicked brough picked up beat two men turned three others inside out passed to the supporting grix at full speed passed to george at full speed who stepped out of makinsons attempted tackle and scored funny sort of interception !! yes a 95m non interception try !!

The moral of the story is that saints yes saints tried to slow us down !! and thats a first in my 50 years of watching !! They are vulnerable out wide I was far from impressed with messrs meli, shenton, wellens and gardener but i thought hohia was their stand out man when he came on ... you need to chuck the ball about to beat them !!