I’m not sure we can pick Ratchford after the struggle that he had containing Lafai at the weekend. Yes, Lafai is a handful for anyone, but he was reduced to a turnstile. Didn’t offer much in the way of attack either. 18th man for me (for versatility and experience value)

Wrench is still the preferred choice, so I think it’s a foot race between Tai and Lindrop. The other going out to the left wing to plug the Ashton gap.

Thewlis is fortunate that we aren’t blessed in wing stock, his defence has been hit and miss for a while often finding himself in no man’s land between the centre and winger. That said, it must be really difficult having had three centres in the first 10 games, and disruption with both halfback and second row on that side. I think keeping Thewlis, Williams and Nicholson together has its merit, so if Dufty has a rest, put the kid at fullback. If we lose, it won’t be the fault of a kid. We have more than enough in the pack and halves to mitigate for a naive youngster and is a great show the squad as a whole that we are not panicking and reverting to Ratchford at 1 because he’s steady.

It’s a good debate about the pro’s and con’s of the bye rounds in the NRL. Clubs have a blank space on the calendar where they can push the stars to their limit knowing there’s a break in the horizon. Against our position where that rest actually opens the door to show youth players what first grade looks like, give them almost an action plan of where they need to work when they go back to lower grades or loans, and monitor their progress. For once, I think we’re in a good place on this and can make an informed choice on contract renewals having seen Holroyd, Wood, Whitehead, Lindrop, Taylor-Wray etc. in and around the match day experience rather than gambling.

Lots to be positive about. Complete 180 from where we have been.

Hayes' injury has forced one change but, in any case, I was expecting him to be withdrawn from the firing line at some point in the near future and Drinkwater to be given some game time and the chance to prove himself (he's had just 2 ½ games under Burgess). Russell had a bad game and needed to be dropped, Harrison and Crowther have played a lot of minutes and I think that there were signs, Crowther in particular, that performances were dipping. With Musgrove coming back, and with some tough rounds ahead of us, it feels like the right decision to rest them.

With four changes already confirmed by the squad selection it will be interesting to see whether or not Ratchford stays in, I suspect that he will.

100% They've got a big powerful squad, if we turn up like we did last week they'll run right over us.

We really haven't, we have Ese Ese who has been excellent and Pele with potential, that's about it in the pack.

Trueman should be back but has been out for months.

Briscoe will give us some go forward and Walker looks good, but should be a comfy Warrington victory.

The weather forecast shows heavy rain for the match, so I'm expecting a dour affair with lots of handling errors. My confidence is starting to ebb a bit, I must say. Not sure about comfy - I'll just be happy with a win.

I'd take a 0-0.

We have London amd Cas the two weeks after, we will target those games.
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Season is all about getting some confidence and picking up a few win. Hopefully with the investment coming, we get a good coach and some decent overseas players to mix with our young squad.

I think with the stick given to our right side defence recently i would not put Thewlis at fullback. I think he could be better in a going forward with the ball position. I would put him in the reserves for a bit as a half back & see how he progresses. But then i a m not the coach

PS just painted living room while waiting for post to appear..

Classic.

I don't get the Thewlis stick? I remember him having a stinker in round 2 or 3 where he dropped a ball once or twice, received a high shot, missed a tackle, scored and also intercepted but apart from that he's bagged a fair few tries of late hasn't he?

If your winger is caught between 4/5 (or 2/3) constantly then I'd look inward on the line, someone either isn't tracking or is being sucked in (or both)

Thewlis stays on the wing for me and for a while yet.

Philth. Absolutely.

4 weeks ago, nobody want Ratchford in the team, he kicks a record breaking score, and suddenly he’s un-droppable.

Doesn’t have the best game like every other back behind a beaten pack…and every one wants him out again!!

Utter crazy Wire fans.