I'd have had Sam Tomkins in both squads for the first 2 games but McIlorum got first go at the back up hooker(or halfback if Sam was chosen) role and took the opportunity with both hands. He was excellent on Friday night and rightfully so has made S Tomkins have to wait his chance.

Looking at the 19 I would say my biggest concern is that we know at least 3 of them are carrying knocks.



Hopefully the players will be fit to play on Friday night and it wont come back to bite us on the bum.



I would still have liked to have seen Sam given a run out for this game though.

No Sam T again

Assuming all 19 are fit to play:



FB Amos Roberts

RW Pat Richards

RC Darrell Goulding

LC George Carmont

LW Shaun Ainscough

SO Tim Smith

SH Thomas Leuluai

P Stuart Fielden

H Mark Riddell

P Eamon O'Carroll

SR Harrison Hansen

SR Sean O'Loughlin

LF Joel Tomkins

S Iafeta Paleeaesina

S Gareth Hock

S Phil Bailey

S Michael McIlorum



I'd bench Bailey because he's so slow it's irritating, if players run straight at him he'll knock them down all day but run to the side of him or ask him to do anything in attack and he's no chance. If Prescott was in the 19 man squad I'd have him on the bench and drop Bailey all together. If Riddell is fit to play it's fair that Sam Tomkins isn't in the squad because McIllorum earned his place last week.

I hope he plays Ainscough. I didnt go to any of the friendlies but if Pryce is nowhere near match fit then we have to give Ainscough a go.

I can see Noble bringing back Coley.

It would be interesting to know how many people on here have actually watched Sam Tomkins, other than in the one off friendlies and cup game?



I'm not saying he isn't ready, but if things are as bad as we all think it will not be long until he becomes Nobby's (or anyone else's) go to man.



Anyone who's watched him consistently will know that he will be patient, and when his chance comes he will demonstrate is ability.



So basically everyone needs to stop getting their knickers in a twist.

And then no-one gets a pass

I have seen him in a few reserve games and what annoys me the most is the standard of the reserve grade is very poor barring obviously Saints and Leeds. He is wasted at that level and needs some minutes of a good NL1 standard or Super League in order to progress. I am not building him up I just think at the moment he is going to waste. At 20 years old he is not a pup and should be being tested at a good level in order to further his development.

What I would like to see,



Richards

Roberts

Goulding

Carmont

Ainscough

S. Tomkins

Smith

Fielden

Tommy

Eamon

Hansen

Lockers

J. Tomkins



Feka

Prescott

Hock

McIlorum



What we will probably see,



Roberts

Goulding

Bailey

Carmont

Richards

Smith

Tommy

Fielden

Piggy

Coley

Hock

Hansen

Lockers



Feka

Tomkins

Eamon

McIlorum

I would be suprised to see Goulding on the wing.

See my post earlier, i have a feeling it is nailed on. Hope he proves me wrong.