Let's not get too excited. When was the last time we beat Saints? 2017?

They pushed a strong Wigan team all the way. Even without Dodd and Lomax they're still the bench mark team. We'll have to give an 8/9 out of 10 performance, and have some luck to get something

Roby is still utter class. All eyes on the league now for them, and home advantage. Seems like we"ll have a few back - Gale, Grub. swift, Vulikijapani - so that might help (or not - seem to have played better with makeshift halfback pairings). Any news on McNamara?

Think it was a week by week thing with McNamara. Its just a waiting game till his back settles down

I'd have all of those returning in the team apart from Reynolds, who looks unfit and cannot tackle, which against Saints would be suicidal with their intensity and backing up. Vulikijapani looked very good during his recent stints at centre and his defensive play has improved greatly this season.

Same as Linnett can understand if it was a final

I wouldn't have risked it in a final either, look at Keith Senior in 2005

Gavin Miller in 1986

apart from Griffin

Swift, Griffin, Bowden, Gale and Reynolds back.

Evans out.

Tough to pick the team this week.

Test of Hodgson to not put Grffin back at centre.

Connor
Shaul
Wynne
Carlos
Mcintosh
Lovodua
Sao
Houghton
Fash
Mau
Lane
Brown

Griffin
Taylor
Satae
Johnstone/Reynolds/Balmforth

Tough on Mitch and Swift

Grub, Gale, Griffin and Swift to be named in the squad.

Evans out with a minor pec strain.

Scott could be back next week. McNamara out at least another 4.

Even with Reynolds back, I'd stick with Lovodua at 6.

Decisions to make a centre. Does Griffin come straight back in or do we go with Mitch or Wynne?

I'd be tempted to go

Connor, Swift, Wynne, Carlos, Mcintosh
Lovodua, Gale
Sao, Houghton, Taylor, Lane, Ma'u, Fash
Brown, Satae, Griffin, JJ/Balmforth

Connor
Swift
Wynne
Carlos
Mcintosh
Reynolds
Gale
Sao
Houghton
Satae
Lane
Mau
Fash

Brown
Taylor
Lovodua
Griffin

Think it would be harsh to drop Wynne in Griffins return after recent matches. Would like to see Griffin slot into 2nd row and rotate Lane/Fash at LF. Ideally Lovodua off the bench to match Lussick who will come off the bench for Saints. Rest of the team speaks for itself.

FWIW, i dont agree with Gale/Reynolds coming straight back into the squad, but this is a realistic squad I can see Hodgson naming

O think it would be a big mistake going with Reynolds and Gale, both too slow and not great defensively. Our worst performance this year was with them at halfback. Also Lovodua wasted on the bench.

Connor
McIntosh
Carlos
Wynne
Swift
Reynolds
Gale
Sao
Houghton
Brown
Lane
Mau
Johnstone

Satae
Taylor
Lovaduo
Fash

Lovodua for Johnstone, Griffin on the bench, and I would go with that.

Whatever team he picks it's nice to be talking about players to leave out rather than who can play.

I don't get the fascination with playing Satae off the bench, he's our best and most destructive prop, he should be on from the start, Walmsley never starts on the bench for Saints.

yes i agree but its wrong to bring back players into the team at the expense of inform players.
The team selection for Friday will be interesting and we will see whether Hodgson is too loyal to certain players.
Swift should certainly be in the team,but to leave out either Connor Wynne or Mitch and bring back Griffin at left centre would be controversial as would the continued use of Johnstone

You have a point but in fairness i bet you could ask 10 people on here and properly get different 17 from each.Guess all about opinions

Yeah JJ done well but shouldn't be in our 17 when we have a good squad back.
Connor
Swift
Carlos
Wynne
MacIntosh
Grub(very lucky but think Hodgo will pick him)
Gale
Satae
Mint
Sao
Ma'u
Lane
Fash
Subs
Taylor, Brown, Griffin, Lovodua.

Unlucky on the like of Mitch, JJ, Bowden and Balmforth but them four are good squad players IMO.

Strong squad, going to be tough to pick the 17.

Need to give it a real go, I can't remember the last time we gave Saints a tough game in SL.

Unlucky on Shaul as well who has done nothing wrong in my book.

I’ll be very disappointed if both Gale and Reynolds are picked ahead of Joey.

Probably the cup winning years

We did them in the mist didn't we?

Probably getting ahead of myself here but the next couple of games could be very good for us, playing saints after a bruising semi v Wigan and then Wigan the week before their cup final game and then away v Wakey....could be a good couple of weeks for us.

I agree, with an almost full strength squad to go at we should be 2 out of 3 at least from these 3 games. 3 out 3 is very achievable if we are disciplined and and cut out the silly mistakes. Time to put our money where our mouth is i reckon.