Seriously? He can barely move in defence. Everytime they ran down his channel they looked like making a break. He missed 7 out of 21 attempted tackles against Warrington.

I'd keep Leeming at 6 and bring Gale back in.

Agar has spoken before about Lui's defense, and says he looks like he misses a lot, but he actually shuts down a lot of plays early by making the right decision. They're clearly happy with the way he defends, even when stats don't look great.

I would say they look like scoring down that edge due to Hurrell rather than Lui, who teams massively target in D.

Is McLelland fit now? I know he's been included in the last couple of squads but not selected. Was always a make or break season for him but with every game that passes with us painfully short of half backs and McLelland not being picked feels like there really can't be a place for him. Or is it just that he's still injured? Never been a better opportunity for him to show he has what it takes - our forwards have been great and we've had no half backs available!

Its really not. It was a lazy grab at worst. Probably a penalty only in another game. Had that happened though i think the Wire fans would have absolutely lost it.

Briscoe
Hurrell
Handley
Lui
Gale
Oledzki
Leeming
Prior
Martin
Mellor
Dwyer
Sutcliffe
Myler
Smith
Holroyd
Vuniyayawa
Thompson
Walters
Briscoe
Donaldson
O’Connor

Myler being back would be huge for this game, puts the whole back situation into near full strength

I'd go with

Myler
L.Briscoe
L.Sutcliffe
T.Briscoe
Handley
Lui
Gale
Holroyd
Leeming
Prior
Mellor
Martin
Donaldson

Subs
Hurrell
Dwyer
Smith
Vuniyayawa/ Thompson

I wouldn't risk Oledzki even though we could do with our biggest pack available if he has a for injury let him get it right he's key too our pack. Could see Agar possibly moving T.Briscoe back too wing for this and have Hurrell & L.Sutcliffe as starting centres but our left edge has looked very dangerous last few games a with Full back swinging that way and Mellor ,T.Briscoe & Handley all combing. I think Hurrell is better coming off the bench gives us more options especially if there's injury in backs plus on form he probably doesn't deserve a start ahead of others.

Leeds owe Catalans one for their dirty antics in the play-offs last season. I really hope we can put a performance in despite the energy levels, but perhaps it's not to be.

Catalans might be the lifeline for professional French RL, but with the national talent pool at their disposal it is embarrassing for the French game the extent to which they rely on antipodeans (nevermind the odd English player). Historically, for every Stacey Jones there have been 'bad boy' signings that other clubs won't touch like Greg Bird and Israel Folau. I was all for them joining SL back in the day, but expected the make-up of their team to be a lot different by now.

If Myler is fit I'd be surprised, it was a nasty injury. Structurally it might be back in place now but he can't be 100% so soon.

Agree our left edge has been looking very strong with Sutcliffe chiming in. I'd probably go:

Sutcliffe
L Briscoe, Hurrell, T Briscoe, Handley
McLelland, Gale
Vuniyayawa, O'Connor, Thompson
Mellor, Walters
Smith

Subs:
Edwards, Gannon, Dwyer, Wallace

I'd be aiming to play smart and run Cats around a bit, with a view to putting out pretty much a first choice side next week at theirs and raise the intensity on them. Don't want to be negative but I just think it's inevitable our wheels will fall off at some point if we continue to flog some players.

If Oledski is able to play get him on the field, obviously if his injury is too bad don’t play him but I suspect half our team will be playing with knocks after the ridiculous number of games we’ve played in the last couple of weeks. I don’t think we’ll win without Oledski,1 more game and we finally get a full week break before the next one let’s throw everything at it and go for the win.

Catalans are without Gill Dudson, the grub Micheal Mcllorum, and Sam Kasiano (presuming his appeal against a ban is unsuccessful). They will be missing some size and aggression in the middle of the field.

Where's Tetavano?

I think we should be going all out to win against Catalans.At the moment we have momentum and don't understand the logic of playing a weakened team en mass and saving players for the away trip. Looking at the squad announced we are gonna put out a very competitive side. Prior is the obvious candidate for a rest but he might want to play! I can understand Leeming based on games played however last couple in halves not as taxing as 80 mind at hooker. Oledski only played 25 mins at Warrington so could play if fit and Holroyd is young and has not played much rugby so I actually believe benefits from staying in. Myler I wouldn't risk unless 100% fit.

Sutcliffe
Bricoe
Hurrell
Bricoe
Handley
Lui/leeming
Gale
Oledski
Dwyer
Holroyd
Mellor
Martin
Thompson

Smith
King V
Walters/Prior
Donaldson

I agree about not flogging the players but McLelland Edwards Gannon and Wallace are not in the squad.

Myler if fit
Briscoe
Sutcliffe
Hurrell
Handley
Lui
Gale
Holroyd
O'Connor
Vuniyayawa
Martin
Mellor
Smith

Dwyer
Thompson
Walters
Donaldson

Rest Leeming Prior and Oledzki

I completely agree, I don’t understand some people’s logic of fielding a weakened side that will more than likely lose just so some players get a rest before facing the same opposition to play. Yes I know the schedules been ridiculous but we are nearly through it unbeaten, let’s not throw that away by fielding a weakened team at the end, if that’s the attitude we may as well forfeit the game as some of the other amateur looking Super League clubs have done.

Also every chance of lots of covid postponements next few weeks need to be going all out for points now. Could rest players lose and then they don't play for 3 weeks

Still suffering from COViD

I understand the lads want to play, they would rather play rugby than train, Myler commented on Friday night that he was prepared to play if he was needed.
He said all the nerves are intact, the ligaments, it was only the finger bone that came through the skin, all you could see was the bone.
You have to take your hats off to these chaps finger in a metal protecter all strapped up and he was willing to play rugby. Hope it heals quickly, it shows the spirit in the team and how much they want to support each other. Unbelievable spirit in the camp

I know mate I was just suggesting how I would have approached this game. I have no doubt Agar will pick the best side he can on paper.

I just feel genuinely that there’s a mental and physical welfare issue - we’ve lost Ward to head injury, Walker to foot injury, Watkins was suicidal whilst with us, These boys aren’t machines. Big Mik is 22 and has been overplayed for years IMO. Him and Dwyer were flogged at the back end of last year too.

Sometimes the coach has to stand a player down for their own good.

The logic of resting players who are knackered is to get the side in better condition for the longer term, not add injury on injury or exacerbate existing injuries, and allow time for training.

It would also give some fringe players valuable game time.

We will now go ahead and spank Cats by 50 just to completely prove me wrong, I realise!

I think Agar deserves a hell of a lot of credit for the spirit and culture he seems to have fostered in the team. Determination to back each other up and go above and beyond goes a long way.

Bit off topic but does anyone know if the players have been vaccinated, at least 1 jab yet?
With Covid cases heading north, more SL disruption seems likely.

The specialist that operated on me last week also did Myler. He said it was just a clean out to make sure nothing was chipped really, and would only be a couple of weeks tops. Top notch care you get at Spire in Roundhay!

Absolutely.

Not being funny but some of the spirit I’m seeing reminds me of the goldens - you build this resiliency up through remarkable efforts like at Wire.

Hopefully this young side will have some more stories to tell before they’re finished.

Couldn't agree more.