Rogues Gallery wrote:
I don't think you can include Peacock as he has retired, and I'm not sure Elliss's form warrants inclusion. I would also start with Sinfield at #9, a position he has played well at International level.
The only reason to start putting sinfield at rake is to make room in the halves. Given Brough isn't playing and Widdop is injured, this isn't going to happen.
Plus, if you're going to double pump hookers, we've plenty of quality behind Roby that's a better bet than Sinfield - Houghton, Lunt, Clarke and the curiously in form Mickey Higham.
I kind of agree with your point about Ellis, he's been injured a lot and not always a world beater, but he got through a lot of rough stuff against Wire (most of which was in the vicinity of Westwood) and I wonder whether his experience and alleged "big game ability" will get him picked in front of form players like Kirmond, Ferres and early season Farrell.
I'd go for 3 props to start. I'd also be tempted to push Roby towards 80 minutes and take a different 4th player as sub.
Graham, Robes, Crabtree
O'Loughlin, Ellis, S Burgess
Bench of : G Burgess, Westwood, (i'd probably go) Hill and (with flagrant bias) Lomax - who can cover every back position and hooker, if you want/need to rest Robes. Realistically, Ratchford may be a bit more deserving of this role, as Lomax hasn't played enough minutes this year.
