How did Jack Hughes go at centre in the pre-season matches?

He made a couple of breaks in the friendly against the Giants. He has plenty of size, its his mobility that will be tested against the Rhinos(if he plays)

Given how much of a pudding Lee Smith has become since he went to Wasps he needs to be targeted for the whole game as it's likely he'll play on the wing against Richards.

We'll have to go some to beat Leeds, our forwards will have to really dominate this game, as I don't think we have it in the backs to beat them. Tomkins will do his best, but, I can't see Charnley or Richards getting the best service with two young inexperienced centres inside them. We will see. Heart says Wigan by 2, brain says Leeds by 12

Don't fancy our chances with this one. Already our lack of depth in key areas is obvious. Goulding and Hughes? Oh dear. Somewhat of a step down after the past few years:

Carmont/Gleeson
Carmont/Joel Tomkins

I think we are already missing Deacon in the halves. His kicking and decision making added so much.

He did and also against Leigh.
BUT there was no end result, a couple of times he was run into touch (I think the same thing happened at HKR) I really don't see him as a centre and would have been tempted to bring Matty Russell in on the wing and moved Charnley infield. It's just a pity that Roberts and King are also injured.

Likely? It's a dead cert!

It's also a slight worry but he's worked his way back in the team ahead of Ben Jones-Bishop so he can't be going too bad. He was poor around marker near the line against Hull KR but i'm hoping theyve worked on that weakness in our game this week in training.

Goulding's been with us 7 years and played over 100 matches. Not to mention the handful of games he played at Salford. He's probably one of the most experienced centres in SL.

I do understand what you're saying though

Last time people were this downbeat about a game was Huddersfield away last season. We all know what happened there......



I fancy us to bounce back this week 26-22 to us.

Depending on injuries etc, when everyone is fit/up to speed we could be looking at:

Roberts/Russell
Charnley Gelling Carmont Richards
Tomkins Finch
Fielden Tommy Mossop
Hansen Hock
Lockers
-------------------
Lima McM Faz Dudson

Daz/Elephane not good enough.

He's so much of a pudding at the moment that he's getting in the team in front of BJB, who had Richards on toast last season. And you haven't even got Deacon to kick the ball high into the corner for your Goal Attack to get his netball tries.

I would rather face Lee Smith than BJB any day of the week thanks very much.

Fair enough, and I was looking forward to seeing the pace mismatch of Watkins/BJB vs Carmont/Richards. But I wouldn't count on Smith, who was more than decent before he went to RU, being such a weak link if he's getting in in front of BJB at the moment.

BJB must have seriously gone downhill in the last few month then as Smith defensive capabilities seem to be close to zero last season and the start of this.

You have obviously not seen Lee Smith recently!!!

I saw enough from the highlight of last week's game to see he's the weak link to be exploited.

No gelling....Its laughable

Maybe, as Wane has said all along, he's not ready yet.

I think Wane and the rest of the coaching team are in a far better position to judge than we are.

Burke and Flower to miss out for me.

Lauaki, Spencer, Tuson and Mellor on the bench.

Wane has got a few options it seems. With Carmont and Farrell already missing I don't think he will drop anyone who played against Huddersfield, which would mean he has a choice of one of the three youngsters on the bench.

If he picks Spencer then it gives the pack a bit more size which he might want after getting dominated against a weakened Giants side. It would mean having 3 props on the bench but there's always the option of Lauaki or Flower playing in the back row.

If he picks Burke then it would be a straight replacement for Farrell and the team would keep the balance. Burke can play prop although that's probably not a good idea against Leeds. He'd be better used in the back row either wide out like Farrell where he's got good pace, footwork and handling or in what I think is his best position of loose forward to move O'Loughlin to stand off.

Then if he goes for Mellor it should give the team an extra attacking threat down the middle, would allow Leuluai to move to hooker which should benefit the side and also provides an extra kicking option which should be helpful. The only negatives are Mellor defending alongside Goulding and Charnley and having to rely on the pack that got beaten by Huddersfield minus one of the few good players from that game.

I just hope that whoever gets the nod isn't just given five or ten minutes at the end of the game. That just seems like a waste.

he has more experience than Hughes....

He's not as familiar with the Wigan team though.

Where was that? He hasn't played any first team rugby in NRL or Super League.

Pryce was more experienced than Charnley.