Makinson back is a big big plus. At 0-13 on Thursday Naiqama had a chance Tommy would have gobbled up. We then went on to concede down left edge when all at sea after Percy went off injured.

From maybe 6-13 and back in the game we're 0-17 and dead in the water.

Knowles will bring some intensity in defence too against a big Hull side.

Should be a great game, shame it's not on telly for us southerners!

Can't Tommy comeback next week

Looks as though you will have Makinson, Amor, Knowles and probably Walmsley back for Sunday reading between the lines from Woolfs interview. He says Walmsley has a chance of making the squad so I would imagine he will. Whilst the return of Makinson is a plus that is tempered for St's somewhat by the loss of Percival.

With us missing Ma'u, Faraimo through injury and Kelly, Satae through suspension and with a doubt over Lane we are definitely going to miss those players.

Should be a good evenly matched game and hoping the weather stays fair so we can see two good sides go at it for 80mins and hopefully see a great game.

Big big news for us that - Walmsley/Amor/Knowles and the pack has a very different look about it, albeit you have to wonder how fit they will each be.

Desperately hoping we get through unscathed and add Roby for the WCC next week. Anything less than that and I fear we'll be in for a good old fashioned shoeing against the Roosters.

Here's hoping:

1 Welsby
2 Makinson
3 Costello
4 Naiqama
5 Grace
6 Lomax
7 Fages
8 Walmsley
9 Bentley (difficult one, I prefer Smith but with three forwards coming back after knocks Bentley offers more utility value, spelled with Knowles)
10 Thompson
11 Taia
12 Peyroux
13 Knowles

14 LMS
15 Lees
16 Amor
16 Paulo

With Ellis playing limited minutes,Bowden still not up to scratch and possibly Fonua to come in on the bench for more game time my opinion is we need another big forward on the bench which should be Masi.
I like Johnstone but not the game for a lightweight bench especially if Walmsley is back

I'm afraid the menace is staying around for Sunday as well.

Agree with you Bonaire with regards to Masi over Johnstone if Walmsley is back. I really like Johnstone and what he brings to us if Walmsley is back then I'd like to see Masi on the bench to add some size. However Masi has yet to make an appearance so having him on the bench may be more of a gamble than Johnstone. Also with Johnstone it allows Houghton to go in at loose forward for a period if we need to move players around as can put Griffin back at centre in needed for Fonua but Johnstone does give us more options.

Tough decisions for the coaching staff but at least it makes a change been in that position rather than the 17 picking itself as in previous seasons.

I'd probably go with

1. Shaul
2. Ratu
3. Carlos
4. Fonua or Griffin
5. Swift
6. Connor
7. Sneyd
8. Taylor
9. Houghton
10. Sao
11. Jones
12. Griffin or Savelio
13. Savelio or Ellis

14. Bowden
15. Ellis or Fonua
16. Fash
17. Johnstone or Masi

Looks good, other than I'd get Swift to play in the reserves and do some serious speed work. Griffin ran away from him looking for support more than once.

Had Faraimo been fit I'd have had him in ahead of Swift only other options would be to leave Griffin at centre and put Fonua on the wing in place of Swift or simply replace Swift with Sanderson.

Indeed, I don't know enough about Sanderson to comment on swapping him in, I just think Saints will take advantage of Swifts positional play and taking the high ball.