I think Ablett will be included. We have too many of the pack carring injuries and to leave a player out who has had a 3 week break would be wrong IMO.Just a pity he cannot play prop. Clarkson should be included because he looks fully fit plus his form warrants it. Eastwood, Bailey, Ali and Kirke are all playing while unfit and Leuluai also got a knock last night. Whoever came through last nights game in the best shape should get the nod for next week although i fear we are going to be very light in the front row.
As patchy as Burrow has been we just seem to look a better shape with him in the team.
Judgeing by comments on the Sporting life site from Bluey my guess is Clarkson will play. And I agree with those who think we need to replace Eastwood with a quality front row forward, not a back row. I thought this a while back, but now after Peacock's injury I think it's even more important.
Burrow has to play. And look how well McGuires playing with the extra space back at 6.
Yes we need some cover at Prop. JP will do well to recover from such a serious injury and the long layoff.
Kirke looked in a bit of discomfort in the last 10 mins. Twice the physio came on but he waved him away. No doubt about it Kirke would have been desperate to prove to Bluey he is worthy of a final spot. If he had gone off injured then it would have put serious thoughts in Blueys mind about Kirke been fit enough for the final and Kirke would have known this. If he did have a slight pull in a muscle he will praying its ok this morning. Food for thought, Kirke may not be fit.
Don't think Ablett should replace Clarkson, straight choice between Kirke and Ablett for me.
Ablett is a far better player but Kirke's size and a stint at prop may swing it in his favour.
I tend to agree with that. If kirke is fit i think he gets on the bench as we need front row options with no JP and Burgess. Eastwood and Kirke can cover interchange prop,Ablett can't.
im not sure about the size argument in favour of Kirke,
I would front row options of Ambler, Kylie, Bailey, Eastwood should be enough size in the 17, especially when Ablett, JJB, and Ali in the 2nd row are hardly small guys.
Another thing i would say was in Clarksons favour rather than Kirkes is the time he is actually on the field. I dont think we would get huge stints out of any of our forwards bar JJB, any of our forwards get a knock and we are forced to leave one of these guys on for a long time. I would be more comfortable asking Clarkson to put in a 70/80 minute stint that Ablett, Ali, Eastwood, Ambler, Kylie, Bailey or Kirke
im not sure about the size argument in favour of Kirke,
I would front row options of Ambler, Kylie, Bailey, Eastwood should be enough size in the 17, especially when Ablett, JJB, and Ali in the 2nd row are hardly small guys.
Another thing i would say was in Clarksons favour rather than Kirkes is the time he is actually on the field. I dont think we would get huge stints out of any of our forwards bar JJB, any of our forwards get a knock and we are forced to leave one of these guys on for a long time. I would be more comfortable asking Clarkson to put in a 70/80 minute stint that Ablett, Ali, Eastwood, Ambler, Kylie, Bailey or Kirke
Who are you putting Ambler in for Diskin ?
If Bluey thinks we have enough up front with Kylie and Bailey, with a stint from Eastwood, against Morley, Carvell and Wood then he will go with Ablett instead of Kirke. I agree as regards the stamina, hot day on a big pitch at Wembley Clarkson should be a shoe in.
[watching Mackay testing the curry in the prison kitchens] Fletcher: Course, he sees 'imself as an authority on curry, he does, on account of where he was stationed in the army. Rudge: Where? India? Fletcher: No, Bradford.