Wonder if the case for Donald may change now..............

You would hope that Donald's retirement does not become a factor in what ever choice McCLennan makes

Not for me bud Smithy it is!

I'd go for Donald, simply because at Wembley, he will have the space and he does have the speed to trouble Wire. It'll be his last chance at a cup medal, and I suspect that the thought of finishing his career on a high will be sufficent motivation for him to stretch his legs. And for me at least, he owes us a big performance. Despite missing around half the season with injuries, he was offered an extended contract, which he now looks unlikely to fulfill. A repeat of 07 will do nicely!

Smithy may feel a tad annoyed, possibley with some justification when he thinks about previous Final performances, but sometimes coaches look for consistency in a player, rather than someone who only really produces once a year.

A tough call either way for Bluey

I'd hope this would have no bearing on it, although it would be a shame for Scott to miss out if this is his last season. The final line-up in the backs will be a real headache for McClennan.

Webb must be a cert - too much of an influential play-maker.
Smith has shown in the past that he is capable of rising to the occasion, and has played in GFs at FB, wing and centre. He is the sort of player that could make things happen from the bench if he slotted in at FB, but with Peacock missing I think we will need four forwards on the bench so this isn't probably a good idea.
Hall is too much of a clinical finisher to be left out - and his ability to take pressure off the forwards is important.
Donald hasn't shown much form when I've seen him so far this year, although as others have suggested the wide open spaces at Wembley could suit his game.
Senior has all the experience and is in good form, although his defence has been questioned lately.
Delaney is more of a big unit than Smith at centre, and seems sound defensively when he concentrates. I think he's received some unfair stick from some posters on here. Playing him in the back row would be a poor option given that we have more than enough talent there already.

Agreed, it is a difficult one. Although I am leaning towards Scott at the mo - not just because of his announcement.

Smith will always offer the unexpected, but at the end of the day we had prepared for this seas on without him so he couldn't really complain if he were to be left out.

Scott will offer us pure pace - which no one else can. The challenge cup final at Wembley (as history has proven) really suits speedsters (Offiah, Robinson ......even Leroy!)

Then again, Smiths record in finals is outstanding, can we overlook that?

Maybe Smithy on the bench would work, do we really need 4 forwards? Buderus, JJB, Ablett, Clarkson & Sinny are more than capable of 80 mins - plus there's Senior or Delaney who could do a stint up front.

Over to you Bluey, do us proud

If you are looking at it from a pace point of view, you look at Warrington with Riley and Hicks on the wings would you rather we had Donald and Hall against them or Smith and Hall.....

Donald offers pace to match Riley in a foot race where Smith doesnt. Hall is the match for Hicks if not slightly quicker perhaps.....

As has been said, in the open spaces of Wembley pure pace could be a huge asset.

If its King they play on the wing outside Atkins then Smith v King might be a more even match pace wise....

Its a really difficult decision and not one I'd like to make!

Why ? As others have pointed out Delaney and Senior offer extra cover for the forwards if necessary !!!

Let's not take ourselves too seriously though ....we have no influence and whatever team is selected I will be cheering on regardless

Without JP against Warrington's big pack we cannot afford a back on the bench IMO. We will need all the go forward we can get from 4 big fellas on the bench to make up for JP's loss otherwise the backs won't get decent ball. Crucial area

I don't see Coach McClennan deviating from his back selection for the semi-final assuming the same names are all available.

Is Wembley any wider than the Galpharm?

We lost JP in the opening minutes of our league game against Warrington at Headingley. How was the bench made up that day?

I've said it before but the key to overcoming Warrington's pack lies on the end of Sinfield's boot.

Might take more than a kick in Morley's nuts to win it IMO

It would probably help though!

Would you give Sinfield another weeks rest then given his importance or play him tomorrow and just pray he comes through with no injury?

the latter. I wouldn't want him to go into the final with no game in three or four weeks. he needs a run out this Friday, IMO.

I'd probably go with that.

As I said on one of the other threads,had Sinny played against Cas then without question I would have rested him tomorrow.

I'd still consider resting McGuire.

Depending on the makeup of the 17 we could start with Sinny at 6 with Clarkson at 13 or if wanting to keep captain Kev at 13 and wanting to give games to all the backs could play Smith at 1 and Webb in the halves.

I just want tomorrows game to pass without losing anyone to injury or potential suspension

No idea what the bench was but I remember we won with 4 tries to 3 with individual stuff from our backs with McGuire in good form (he was rested against Blackpool the game before!!) and Warrington were not at their best with a man in the bin, but came back at us near the end.


I agree that our kicking game is also crucial but they will be trying to close Sinny down and he needs to be on the front foot to be effective, so its vital that our forwards do what as their name says ie: go forward.

Their kicking game ain't bad either.

Bridge back for Wembley - huge boost, one of best centres in SL, very underrated!

so warrington should play kevin penny just because he's lightening quick?

No, as thats his [ionly[/i attribute.

After much deliberation I have found the perfect case for Donald at Wembley.

What that's he's a tool?

Ooooh yuo're so red blooded. That's not a tool box. It's a vanity case. Get in touch with your feminine side.

He's failed already

He doesnt seem to have a packed a dummy for Briers

Sorry George.