SAINTS have announced their squad for Friday's Stobart Super League Round 17 game against Bradford Bulls.

Anthony Laffranchi and Francis Meli return to the 19.

The squad is:

1. Paul Wellens, 3. Michael Shenton, 4. Sia Soliola, 5. Francis Meli, 6. Lance Hohaia, 7. Jonny Lomax, 8. Josh Perry, 9. James Roby, 10. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 11. Tony Puletua, 12. Jon Wilkin, 13. Chris Flannery, 14. Anthony Laffranchi, 15. Mark Flanagan, 16. Paul Clough, 19. Andy Dixon, 20. Lee Gaskell, 21. Tommy Makinson, 26. Josh Jones.

Hmm I'd go:

1. Wellens
2. Makinson
3. Shenton
4. Jones
5. Meli (only as Swift unavailable)
6. Gaskell (but guess what......)
7. Lomax
8. Posh Jerry
9. Roby
10. Laffranchi
11. Flanagan
12. Soliola
13. Wilkin

14. TP
15. LMS
16. Clough
17. Lance.
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(but there's more chance of me bagging Kylie than Gaskell starting at 6....)[/size

Was Swift just dropped due to Meli's return?
Is Wheeler left out or injured?

I would expect us to be able to grind this one out up front, using those short balls around the ruck to make our breaks.

Beward of Jeffries kicking game though, with those dinks over the top close to the try line, especially with Roger back on the wing to (not)catch them.

Not sure but if I was a betting man......

I think they've stopped giving odds...

Out because of 'work commitments' apparently as he is part-time...

Ok I am assuming you are kidding.

Barring anything radical

1. Paul Wellens,
21. Tommy Makinson,
3. Michael Shenton,
26. Josh Jones. (looking more and more likely to put in a big claim for this spot)
5. Francis Meli,
6. Lance Hohaia,
7. Jonny Lomax,
8. Josh Perry,
9. James Roby,
14. Anthony Laffranchi,
4. Sia Soliola,
11. Tony Puletua,
12. Jon Wilkin,

10. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook,
13. Chris Flannery,
15. Mark Flanagan,
16. Paul Clough,


It's our first choice pack

I wish that I was! He has an apprenticeship at a 'well known company'...

Amazes me that we deem Shenton as not good enough to keep, but yet depend on him every week and never drop him.

Yet the other centre position is as open as it could possibly be with Wheeler, Jones and Meli playing pass the jersey.

Wellens
Makinson
Shenton
Jones
Meli
Gaskell
Lomax
Perry
Roby
Laffranchi
Wilkin
Soliola
Puletua

Bench

Hohaia
Flanagan
Clough
McCarthy-Scarsbrook

Sadly I think Meli might have ousted Swift even if he wasn't unavailable.

I go with

1 wellens
2 makinson
3 shenton
4 Jones
5 meli
6 gaskell
7 lomax
8 Perry
9 roby
10 laffranchi
11 Wilkin
12 sia
13 flannery

14 lance
15 tony p
16 flangan
17 lms

Meli was taken out of that rota the minute the present incumbents took over the coaching helm. I'd say it was a straight fight between Jones and Wheeler, and it would appear that Jones is winning.

as he should, based purely on performances

Pity that policy is only applied to our young players these days.

Meli would merit a place over Wheeler anyhow, IMO. I've been extremely disappointed in him after a promising start.

Meli doesn't warrant a place over anyone.

He's in a funny place at the moment, Meli.

Before the Leeds game he had been playing centre, but following Foster's nightmare showing at Bradford a couple of us discussed the idea of moving him back out to the wing. The advantage which we raised was that, up until that point, we'd mostly been playing with the rather diminutive pairing of Makinson and Foster, neither of whom were great at getting a roll on on the first couple of tackles after receiveing the kick. Meli's physical presence would perhaps allow us to get that early momentum which is so important to our playing style.
The disadvantages are well documented and we all decided that we didn't think it was worth the risk.

However, Rush and KC tried it, it worked and they have stuck with it since.

Now, if we had two wingers who could hold down a spot and play effectively, would Meli still be playing in the centre? He played very well for us last year there, putting a lot of tries on a plate for Foster.

If you had a chance to swap our current 3/4s for 4 x Francis Meli, who you take it?
[iNot you, Saintsfan, I know your answer

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That would be one hell of a threequarter line. would score loads of points but also ship them in for fun!!!!

The return of the Entertainers!

He does, though.

You've been rightly critical of Rush and KC for ignoring form and allegedly favouring the old hands.

On recent form, Meli warrants inclusion before Wheeler and Foster.

So how do you think we will go tomorrow.

I reckon it will be similar to the Wakey game. A slow seperation appearing between the teams but in the end a convincing win. Saw bit's of the Bradford game last week and the defense was definatley suspect and we should have enough about us to open it. If we can hold the ball better than we did against Hull then oppertunities should come. It's our best pack so no problems there.

i'll be very disappointed if we dont get 2 points

Can see only a good Saints win, 20+.