Winslade's Offload wrote:
If you start by eliminating players rather than picking the side, I think you would remove Whitehead because he is a bit young yet to debut, Doro because we have plenty of returning props, and Ashton because Ratchford is available after his half game rest. Then you are left with a toss up between Lineham and Thewlis. I am a big fan of the youngster but I think Lineham will get the nod as Thewlis has played a lot of rugby in the past couple of weeks.
I fancy Clark will fill in at hooker.
Ratchford covered hooker I think when he came on against Salford - maybe we will see Ratchford on the bench interchanging with Clark at 9. Depends whether he wants Ratch / Widdop / Williams playing together ahead of the play offs.
Would be sensible to play Lineham, just to give him some match fitness ahead of the play offs, as you mention, Charnley / Thewlis should be fine in that regard.
Wouldn't surprise me to see Currie given the week off, Austin to switch sides and Mulhern given some time off too. Price seems to favour resting rather than continuity.
Not the side i'd pick, but i'd expect:
Ashton
Lineham
Wrench
Mamo
Charnley
Williams
Widdop
Hill
Clark (J)
Cooper
Hughes
Austin
Doro
Ratchford
Sita
Philbin
Longstaff