Looks like Mr Smith was right. Chris Bridge has also recovered from a shoulder injury but is not named in the 19-man squad, with the centre hoping to be back for next Saturday's all-important Challenge Cup final. www.skysports.com/rugbyleague/ma ... 92,00.html

Looks like Mr Smith was right. Chris Bridge has also recovered from a shoulder injury but is not named in the 19-man squad, with the centre hoping to be back for next Saturday's all-important Challenge Cup final. www.skysports.com/rugbyleague/ma ... 92,00.html

Good times, Just in time for the Play-offs!!!!

Not sure i would want to smash him back in for the Final??? But in Smith we trust, He may end up on the bench for the Final???

Sounds like a player desperate to play in a final who's really pushing it.

Great boost, one of best centres in the league.

Remember Senior coming back for a final (Hull ??) and being a passenger for 80 minutes

Work to do boys, work to do - no time to take chances

Mickey Higham came back last year in the CC Final and came through fine after 10 weeks out IIRC.

Micky Higham was worth the risk because we didn't have another experienced hooker available along with the fact that he'd only be playing an impact role from the bench rather than playing a full 80 mins, Chris Bridge has been recovering from shoulder surgery and having someone like Keith Senior and Ryan Hall running at you for a full 80 mins isn't an ideal introduction especially with the intensity of a final.

Its not like we wouldn't have 2 recognised centres in Chris Bridge's absence if he doesn't play, a fully fit Chris Bridge would be great but one that hasn't played for a while is too big of a risk in my opinion.

If Bridge is ready for a comeback like has been indicated then i'd have played him against Hull in readyness for the play offs then possibly rested Matt King for next week.

I guess only TS knows, but I'd of thought he'd have been keen to get Bridge to prove his fitness after the layoff.
Hope he doesn't rush him back, although maybe a good interchange option at Wembley?
For me for Wembley the backs and halves are virtually settled providing we don't pick up injuries against Hull -the only doubt is whether Bridge plays in the centres in which case Riley could miss out (even though he's in form). Also the forwards are pretty much sorted, but a lot of competitin for 2 of the bench spots.
(I know it's early and tempting fate but I'm just sooooo excited!!)

Mathers (Riley as a very outside shot)

King
Atkins
Bridge (or Riley at wing with King moving to the centre). I think Bridge will miss out.
Hicks

Briers
Myler

Morley
Monas
Carvell
LAnderson
Westwood
Harrison

Wood
Solomona
then 2 from 5 - Clarke, Higham, VAnderson, Cooper, Bridge

Think Cooper will miss out because I think we're already strong enough up front given Leeds's problems. Then I think if Bridge isn't 100%, VAnderson steps in because he can move to centre if required. This leaves the Clarke/Higham dilemma and I'd be tempted to go with Clarke because he's good defensively and that would negate the Diskin effect.
Then again I could be completely wrong.....

Bridge was looking fine in Total Fitness today!

Doesn't he always to you Milly???

personally wouldn't play him, save him for our other cup final

To much of a risk.

agree with Milly, Bridge looked well in the gym trained very hard he was with Grix who looks like hes just getting back into training. Carvell came in as well, hope hes ok.

as for Bridge I would like to see him play tomorrow if he can, we could all see if he could push for a Wembley place.

Start on the bench for me. With Clarke/Myler, Wood and Solomona. I wouldn't mess around with what has been an excellent 3/4 lineup for a couple of months. He would also offer cover for a number of possitions from there.

I wouldn't risk Bridge in the cup final. The back 5 virtually pick themselves baring injury, so i would give him a run out against the Quinns so he has some game time ready for the play offs.

I can see bridge missing out on Wembley if he isn't in the 17 for Hull. Possibility he be on the bench, but only a possibility.

Assuming no Bridge, I think Vinnie misses out. Clarke gives more options than Vinnie (and is actually better).

Of course, we might be hit by three or four injuries tonight which make all this pointless, but if not, I cna see nothing other than....

Mathers
Riley Atkins King Hicks
Briers Myler
Morley Monaghan Carvell
Louis Westwood
Harrison

Wood Solomona Higham Clarke

Unless of course he protects Myler again....

The team for the final should be the same as the one that plays tonight.

I've been so impressed with the Wire this year therefore I have tried hard not to comment on Clarke; largely due to his welcome absence. But did you not see some of his one on one misses last weekend? They were pitiful.

As for Bridgey, if he plays so be it! I think TS has used a fair bit of logic when resting players (no coincidence that we suddenly have a full squad available besides Grix). Plus he learnt a little lesson during the 05' Final via the Senior mistake.

I guess you are not too keen on Chris Riley then?

Didn't see the Wakefield game, but you can't deny that Clarke has been excellent since returning. Well he was in the Saints match and the semi final.

Plus his versility makes him an ideal bench man. Not sure I would go with Higham and Clark off the bench. Don't see the point in having two hookers on the bench.

If Bridge is fit then he's definitely on the bench. In a tight match he has that ability to break down opposition defences. Crucial cog in the wheel.

What, a couple of walkover tries against Saints? Plus involving himself in three man tackles which were effectively completed by the time he made himself present? Also, lets not forget that he was one of those rare instances where he wasn't even used off the bench during one of our biggest games of recent times at Wigan a few weeks back.

You have an interesting view on the term 'excellent' ........


Mathers
Riley
Atkins
King
Hicks
Briers
Myler
Moz
Monas
Carvell
Benny
Louis
Harrison

Solomona
Wood
Bridge
Higham

I do like Vinnie but I'd go with the above. Clarke and Cooper to miss out also.

"some of his one on one misses" - how many were there then? How many did Morley have?

Not sure but I hardly think a prop forwards stats should be compared to a hooker really? And Clarke misses them when somebody runs straight at him. Don't suspect this is the case with Morley.