We are missing Piggy because MicMac is doing 80 mins. Tommy stepped in at dummy half a few times v Hull but that was only when MicM had run from the ptb.
It seems to me that the intention all along was to play MicM for 80 mins this year and replace Pig with Finch. He is the top class 6 we will need if Sam is to stay at fb.
As for Mellor, one bad move if he came back, especially against Hudds. They are a bunch of head hunters. They'll have Mellor knocked out by 20 mins in.
Hudds is not the team to play a small half back against on his debut.

A bit, yes, though not as much as I expected us to.

As far as Mellor goes, the lad will come good, but that injury has meant he just hasn't played enough rugby in the last 18 months.

I don't think his slotting into the system would be any problem, but he must be in need of more match practice, I'd have thought.

Yeh a conversation me and Fordy was having on sunday.

I thought the idea would be to interchange Finch and McIlorum with Leuluai switching between 7 and 9 accordingly

With out doubt , were missing that extra bit by far

If Sam is banned then we should recall Mellor IMO. Lockers is not a 6 and I would much rather have Mellor and Leuluai playing. It's unfair on Quins but they did sign the deal and they are aware of what can happen.

Without a doubt. His vision and organizing skills are severely missed.

Amos to FB and Charnley on the left wing, with Marsh at right centre.

Deacs & Tommy in the Halves as normal.

Good call (as long as Deacon is fit)

We'll be better when Finch returns and we could start to see Tommy move more to 9

I don't think Deacon is going to return. A bad head gash coupled with concussion is more than likely to rule him out.

Also seen a rumour on twitter that someone spoke to Brett Finch and he said he's hoping to get a run out this weekend!

If he's out, then I'd much rather have Lockers at 6.

We'll be missing a few key players and with a much depleted kicking game, are likely to have to defend very well - having Lockers there as an 'extra' forward on the pitch could really help us.

Finch is not an interchange player he plays the full 80, theres not point messing with the 6/7 combo every 20 mins when interchange of hookers is much more straight forward

At the moment McIlorum knows he will most likely play 80 mins so has to play accordingly

I think finch may start on the bench this weekend with lockers starting the game at 6 and amos at full back

Would be great to see Finch at Huddersfield but for the love of God don't rush him back.

No trophies are won or lost on Friday.

Hmmmmm i heard he may be back for wire as it was around that time anyway but who knows that would certainly be an interesting twist! I guess we will know once the squad is announced

Very much in agreement.

a lot said we would need another class hooker......imo the problem is the injury to Finch.
i think the plan was to spell micky mac with tommy.
tommys having to play half , and mickys having to do 80.......we dont have a plan b that another hooker would bring in.

after all my waffling in say.......YES

Absolutely agree. I'd rather concede the two points than aggravate his neck injury.

The club (not just blaming Madge, as he must take advice from the medical & support staff) has recent form for bringing players back from injury too soon - Roberts & Mossop for example.

Sam Powell?

I don't think he's ready, but wouldn't let anyone down. He is probably the best defensive scrum half I have seen, however to bring him into what is already going to be a severely weakened team is not how he should make his debut IMO.

if i was a Wigan fan i would be more excited at the prospect of seeing mellor than finch.

I would agree, at 18 he's still young and it's a big ask to throw him into such a big game and one where our side is weakened. Huddersfield have a fierce pack and if we lose the forward battle our halfbacks could get hammered. I don't fancy a match up between Powell and O'Donnell! He'll get eaten!
Powell has plenty of potential, the right attributes to succeed (including a much better kicking game than Leuluai or Sam) but now probably isn't the time. He has more chance of succeeding than Mellor in my opinion, but if we had to play a young halfback I'd prefer Mellor at this moment in time (not that Mellor looks any more capable of withstanding the physicality).

I think Powell is more capable of withstanding a physical game than Mellor, but I wouldn't play either of them against Huddersfield with all our absentees.