Reading between the lines of Hodgson's interview in the HDM, he really does see Connor moving into the halves as an absolute last resort.

I do get it to be honest, but I do worry who that would mean we would see in the halves. Both Houghton and Johnstone are named on Hodgson's shortlist which would send many (and probably myself) into meltdown.

He did mention that Lovodua spent most his youth playing in the halves, if we are going to stick with Connor at FB then I think he would be the man I would go for.

Elsewhere it sounds like Wynne and Bowden are good to go and Cator is ready to put in a big stint, which is much needed good news.

It was always going to be a tough ask with the short turnaround regardless of the 17 we named. Do sadly think it'll be another defeat, but if the effort is there and we put up a good fight I will be happy to roll onto Huddersfield and hope to see plenty of bodies back.

With both Gale & Reynolds missing and Shaul fit then we have to move Connor in to the halves. Moving either Houghton or Johnstone to play alongside on McNamara would just be crazy and we may as well play Sao at halfback if that’s BH’s thoughts.

Think he is too stubborn for his own good when he has Jamie Shaul available to move back to full back and Mitch to slot into wing
If Johnstone is included again in the 17 then he really is losing his way

If Connor isn't in the halves tomorrow then the coach is a bigger fool than I currently believe he is. The fact that Johnstone is even being considered for a role there tells everything I suspect about Hodgson. Clueless.

I've got an uneasy feeling that Jake won't be playing tomorrow, just the way they was working on him pre-match and the way he was holding his side/hip at the end of the game. I hope not but it wouldn't surprise me to see shaul at 1 and Houghton in the halves. Just pray to God he puts lovaduo at 9 and not Johnstone

I agree, tomorrow we need to play Shaul at Full Back and Jake in the halves. It would be the least disruptive change.

Attacking wise, Jake can still be creative when attacking the line. Defensively we probably become stronger. Jake missed tackles for their first try, the try at the start of the second half and Eden then turned him inside out for the last.

Great that Cator is back, but it will take him a few games to re-build his match fitness.

If fit, Bowden has to be involved ahead of JJ. We need Evans to play 40-60 mins tomorrow too, not 20 mins. Brett really needs to rotate the bench properly.

It will be a tough ask tomorrow, but we just have to put the best team out that we can and take stock again next week.

Agreed, think you may be right on that one as Jake was out a good 20 mins before everyone else doing a huge amount of work on him.

I'd choose
Connor
Mitch
Griffin
Wynne
Swift
McNamara
Lovodua
Evans
Houghton
Brown
Sao
Savelio
Fash

Shaul
Cator
Satae
Bowden

Very bold, not chance of being the team, but I quite like it.

Its certainly an option and to be fair is a decent option, we need to keep both Houghton & Johnstone away from the halves as with McNamara we will create little as it is so we will snuff any creativity out with either Houghton or Johnstone partnering McNamara.

If BH does goes for either of them in the halves then I really would be concerned for the remaining season, as much as I'd like to keep Connor at FB missing both first choice halves and an understudy (Hookem) injured and with a fit Shaul then we have to go with Shaul at FB and Connor in the halves.

With Cator back there should be no reason to have Johnstone in the 17