With 4 weeks to go, who would be in your 17 as our form side?

Mine:

Hodgson
Riley
Atkins
Ratchford*
Monaghan
Briers
Myler
Hill
Monaghan
Carvell
Waterhouse
Westwood
Grix

McCarthy
Higham
Morley
P Wood

Cooper, Harrison, Evans, Currie, Bridge*, and Solo to miss out

*Controversial I know.

I was considering the same thing about Bridgey but (I'm assuming Harrison is ok until we get news to the contrary):

1. Hodgson
2. Riley
3. Bridge
4. Atkins
5. J Monaghan
6. Briers
7. Myler
8. Hill
9. M Monaghan
10. Carvell
11. Waterhouse
12. Westwood
13. Grix

14. Ratchford
15. Harrison
16. Morley
17. Cooper/Wood

Cooper and Woody are battling it out for that final bench spot in the next few weeks (unless Benny H is knackered in which case they're both happy). Either way we've got one nice little headache. Disapointed for Higham as he's had his best season in the P&B this year but I'm a ruthless .

So many options for this I wouldnt like to second guess Mr S. Myler was dropped for the 2010 final because of the defensive game plan TS had. Is he much better now than then? Ratchford has put in some emense performances in the P&B so must be knocking on the door. Wembley in August is not a pitch where you want oustide players struggling so in honesty I would go for replacing Bridge for this one and Ratchford is probably as a choice as any.

I wouldn't play Hodgson unless he's staying for another year. If he isn't, like the rumors suggest, then i'd go;

Ratchford
Joel
Bridge
Atkins
Riley
Briers
Myler
Carvell
Monas
Hill
Westwood
Waterhouse
Harrison (if fit)

Morley
Grix
Woody
Cooper/Mcarthy/Currie/Solomona/Higham/GOB/Evans/Dwyer

Doubt whether Hodgy leaving or staying will enter TS thoughts when he picks his 17 but I'd go for..

Hodgson
Joel M
Bridge
Atkins
Riley
Ratchford
Briers
Hill
Mick M
Morley
Westwood
Waterhouse
Harrison

i/change -
Higham
Wood
Carvell
Grix

Hodgson HAS to play if he is fit....his kicking alone makes him an automatic pick.

1. Hodgson
2. Joel
3. Bridge (if fit) Ratchford if not fit
4. Atkins
5. Riley
6. Briers
7. Myler
8. Carvell
9. Monas
10 Hill
11 Waterhouse
12 Westwood
13 Harrison

Morley
Higham
Grix/Ratchford
Wood

IF Harrison has done any damage to one of his pectoral muscles, then he's likely to miss the final.

Hodgson
Joel
Atkins
Evans
Riley
Ratchford
Briers
Hill
Higham
Carvell
Westwood
Waterhouse
Grix

McCarthy
Morley
Monas
Wood

Hodgson
Monaghan
Atkins
Bridge
Riley
Briers
Myler
Morley
Monaghan
Carvell
Westwood
Waterhouse
Grix

Ratchford
Wood
Hill
Higham

like your team I would go with that one as well

Hodgson
Joel
Bridge
Atkins
Riley
Briers
Myler
Hill
Monaghan
Carvell
Waterhouse
Westwood
Grix

Higham
Morley
Ratchford
Mccarthy/Wood

Depends on how people play in the matches up to the game and what tactics TS wants to play.

Based on what I've seen and the tactics I think he'll play

Hodgson
Joel
Bridge*
Atkins
Riley
Briers
Myler (as long as his performances merit it over the next 3 weeks)
Hill
Higham
Carvell
Waterhouse
Westwood
Harrison / Grix

Monaghan
Morley
Ratchford* if Bridge is not 100% then Ratchford at centre
McCarthy/ Wood / Grix / Harrison

To miss out
GOB - his time will come
Solo - just too soon (maybe things will change with 3 more weeks playing)
Coops - no real reason, but compeititon is hot
Blythe - tough on the guy as he's done well when played
Evans - as GOB

Tactics - he wants a big pack but mobility as it'll be won or lost in the forwards.

It's a really tough call.

Bridgey is the big issue for me. He's been playing with an injury yet still TS picks him. I don't understand it - especially as we've good cover in Blythe, Ratchford etc
If he's not fir then Ratchford starts in the centres and McCarthy misses out.

Harrison over Wood on the bench spot for me.

Hodgson
Monaghan
Bridge
Atkins
Riley
Briers
Myler
Carvell
Monaghan
Morley
Westwood
Waterhouse
Harrison

Grix
Hill
Cooper
Ratchford

This but based on current form between the two, Woodenhead over Coops.

Be extremely harsh on Higham after his efforts all year but no time for sentiment.

Tyke has to be on the bench, he's been immense recently!

Hodgson
Joel Monaghan
Ratchford
Atkins
Riley
Briers
Myler
Hill
Higham
Carvell
Waterhouse
Westwood
Grix

[uInterchange[/u
Mick Monaghan - on for Higham after 15 mins in each half. This way Higham can run himself into the ground for 15 mins and soften them up with nippy runs from dummy half and Monas exploits tired Rhinos for 25 mins in each half (4 interchanges)
Morley - on for Chilly after 25 mins and reverse after 60 mins (2 interchanges)
Harrison/Woody/Cooper (depending on fitness & form in the next few weeks) - on for Carvs after 20 mins and stay on till 55 mins (2 interchanges)
Tyke - rotate in back three depending on performance on the day (use 1 interchange)

One interchange kept to cover injury, poor form on the day or tiredness at end of match (at discretion of TS).
Front row playing time would then be Chilly - 45 mins, Carvs - 45 mins, Moz - 35 mins, Harrison/Woody/Coops - 35 mins. No-one plays for more than a 25 minute spell, with starting props getting a 50 minute rest period over their break and half-time.

I'd always have Grix in my line-up as he provides cover, in this case I'd move him to and allow Ratchford to replace whoever in the backs is lost to injury or poor form on the day. Hodgson and Briers can provide kicks, as can Monas and Ratch if needed.

Bridge is out as he's clearly injured and lacking pace. I'd fancy Hardaker and Watkins to skin him at the moment, which I can't imagine they'd be able to do to Ratch or Atkins. GOB will get more playing time in the future and Myler has been good enough to get into the squad over the last few weeks. Solo is just not on the pace for a major final and it could be a hot day so he'd struggle to keep up. Evans will be a long-term for Wire, but isn't yet ready to replace Atkins, Ratchford (or Bridge when fit) on a permanent basis.

Quite like that team and rotation. No doubt TS will know better, but I'd play my starting line-up against both Stains and Pies and rest anyone looking jaded against London. I'd also hope they stay on in London to avoid fatigue form two unnecessary journeys home and back over a couple of days timeframe.

Ratchford has to be in the starting 13 IMO, and if it's not in place of Bridge then alongside Briers in the halves.