Should be a tough, tight match. Hopefully, we can come out on top.


Dufty missing for them is a big loss as he is one of their big threats, but nothing is ever certain when playing halfbacks of Sneyd and William's calibre.

Take nothing for granted, work our socks off, and we should be OK.


As long as Miller is fit, that would give us a big boost, if not we shouldn’t play Connor at FB.

This may come back to haunt me, but teams tend not to do so well in the fixture immediately after losing a CC final. The past 5 years have recorded 4 losses by beaten finalists, with the exception being the Giants.


Being beaten in that manner would take an emotional toll on any team and with Dufty sidelined, I'm hoping we can do a professional job and get the points.

One of those that we should win, but we might lose if we aren't at our best. Wire aren't in a position were they can lose too many more games and be confident of making the six let alone the four so they have every motivation to come to HQ looking for a win. Two points would be huge for us - it would be 10 wins from the opening 14 games. When is the last time we managed that? 

Hoping we don't change too much from last couple of games, save for Jenkins getting more game time. 


Assuming Miller will play but if not unlikely that Connor will play anywhere other than 7, given BA's comments after Wakey. He as much as admitted he'd got it wrong. 


So, if Miller is absent, Lumb to FB, Handley to wing, Watkins to centre? Or play ECW, if he is available?

I think he'll try and avoid changing too many players positionally and just bring in Edgell at full back. I'd like to get a look at ECW on the wing, but I suspect he'll stick with Lumb, who in fairness has been very good. But let's hope Miller is back and fit. 

I'd really like to get a decent look at ECW.
If Miller is out, I'd personally put Lumb to FB and ECW on the wing.


But I expect BA will stick with the core group of players he has been using and may put Handley to FB and Watkins in the centre.


Whichever way, Connor has to stay at 7.
The kicking game will be very important.


If we stick with size on the bench, we have to be clever about how we use Lisone.
He should do 10-15 mins at the end of the first half, then assess how the second half is going before giving him another 10-15 mins.
He can be destructive if used at the right time.
Jenkins should get longer stints.


This will be a tough game.
Wire will be smarting from the CC.
They have a few players back and have to start moving up the ladder.

We need to start fast and not let them get in front to build their confidence 

Let's hit them early with a Rohan-ball offload blitz, lots of lateral movement, 'passive defence' & short kick offs, they won't be expecting it

Big bench needed, theyve got a big pack which weve struggled to handle in previous seasons, we got the better of their pack in the last game, so i would look to match them with size again. 

Our two favourite Refs.
Kendall/Grant.

1. Miller
2. Lumb
3. Handley
4. Newman
5. Hall
6. Croft
7. Connor
8. Oledzki
9. O'Connor
10. Palasia
11. Bentley
12. Gannon
13. Watkins


14. Ackers
15. Holroyd
16. Jenkins
17. Smith


McDonnell and Lisone's turns to be rested.


Obviously pure speculation who will be rested, if Ackers is fit too, albeit Bentley, Gannon and Jenkins have all had a week off as well as Oledzki for his ban. Palasia, McDonnell, Holroyd and Lisone have yet to have a week off.


Not a clue whether we would go with Lumb/Handley/Edgell should Miller not be fit.