That was when he lost both Aiton and Burrow though. We've still got the latter to pick ATM. Not a fan of it like yourself but can't see anything other than Burrow for 80 providing no injuries during the match. Just hope Robbie Ward gets into the 17 next week vs Hull (he made the bench against them in the cup game at there place) and his lack of selection his week is just McDermott thinking this game isn't the right one to bring him into the side.

Also the comparison of Clarkson/Keinhorst. Keinhorst has done well in his spell in the side but is still limited in his games for the club, Clarkson had been a solid hand, particularly defensively, for a number of years by that point.

Burgess being out is a big blow for Wigan. He is IMO the form winger in SL and usually causes us lots of problems and scores key tries.

Wigan will no doubt have a plan to get in our faces and target Cuthbo plus the usual blight that is the overlong wrestle with unnecessary bodies in the tackle.. I hope the ref observes the offside rules. Maybe for this game we should try to move it wide earlier.

the forecast for friday is appalling and I hope that the RU boys dont churn the pitch up. The weather could mitigate against our open off loading style of rugby and turn this into a low scoring forward battle which might suit wigan and their spoiling slow the PTB tactics

Well if Wigan's left side is going to be Gelling and Manfredi again then I suggest going down the Watkins & Briscoe side as defensively those two for Wigan last week vs Hudds looked dodgy and unfamiliar together.

Thinking more that BM is trying his hand at rotating Burrow and Sinny OR another at 9 and keep the bench more for utility with Keinhorst than bring in R Ward. I don't think that is such a bad idea as Burrow could play 30 minutes a half and when he is off we tighten up the game a little in the forwards.....yes not ideal but I think still a solid option with a stronger bench and cover

Said at the weekend we should look at Keinhorst as back up hooker.
Good hands and has shown he can tackle when defending up the middle.
For some reason struggles out wide.
Heavy rain might help Wigan but we have proved before we can move the ball about in those conditions.
Hopefully we don't revert to playing it safe.

As others have said (...A.Gilder? ) Get it wide early away from the wrestle, yes. But have we got a Todd Carney capable player to do this?

I actually fear for the likes of Cuthbertson this game; I'd hate for him to become a long term victim of Wigan's highly likely agressive 3 men in the tackle spoiling tactics.

Will hinder of style of play but on the other hand we are better equipped than ever in recent years in the prop department with Peacock, Cuthbertson, Singleton, an in-form Leuluai and Garbutt. In the latter we have something they've not played before and is proving to be a real handful. Don't really think the match at the DW was won or lost in some forward battle with Wigan's style stopping us.....we still threw it around and had them scrambling around at times with our style. I think we just made some poor mistakes defensively and whilst Handley and Keinhorst did ok, a starting 3 of...

1, Hardaker
2, Briscoe
3, Watkins

Will make a massive difference compared to the Watkins (who was disappointing at FB that night), Handley, Keinhorst lineup from a few weeks ago.

I'm actually hopeful that it's a close game (it probably will be) because if for arguments sake we had quite a lead I wouldn't be surprised with the game gone, for someone like McIlorum to end up injuring one of our guys with a reckless foul out of frustration.

Clarkson was terrible at dummy half. Just passed the ball on (slowly) every time, no variation or feint or step at all.

Was it under Smith or Bluey where we had Lee Smith and Brent Webb splitting dummy half when Diskin was out? That worked ok. You need someone who at least looks like they *might* run.