Mrs Barista wrote:Very important game this one IMO - 2 wins from the first 5 and although all the losses have been narrow ones with positives to take we need to start getting points on the board.
Some selection headaches for Radford if we get players back following the younger players outplaying the senior ones for the most part at Headingley. I reckon Kelly will be back but Sika didn't come back on so with Watts, Bowden, Paea and Houghton also all out that would be 5 of our 1st choice pack missing. I'd start with Taylor and Green at prop and Mini, Hadley, Abdull in the back row. Hopefully Bowden back but I don't feel we've seen the best of him yet this year - he was in outstanding form at the end of the last season. No idea what he'll do in the backs but if Kelly's back he'll probably want Connor at centre with Carlos - maybe Talanoa and Griffin on the wings. Harsh on Logan but Griffin was also very good against Leeds.
Griffin on the wing is not only a mistake because Logan offers us more there it sends out a poor message and conflicts with Radford's ethos.
Given we are short on numbers why wouldn't we want to use Griffin as a replacement forward as some have being touting?
Shaul
Logan
Connor
Carlos
Talanoa
Kelly
Sneyd
Taylor
Washbrook - but think this would be an ideal game for Litten to get some game time
Green
Mini
Hadley
JA
Lane/Washbrook
Fash
Matongo
Griffin
It's not exactly explosive but Fash is as I've said the stand out of the youngsters that have come through and more than holding his own, Lane will only get better and Matongo is good in small doses (though think he could improve with his go forward). Griffin gives us different options to cover injuries as well as giving the forwards a breather.
If Talanoa keeps slipping up defensively then his position could be at risk when Faraimo comes back.