No Farrimond, so must have picked up a knock. Keighran into the halves with Eckersley at centre for me.

Hamstring 

That’s a shame for Farrimond but also I’d have liked to see Wardle being given the week off.


He’s way off his best at the moment, looks very tired. He’s a quality player goes without saying but his performances are uncharacteristically low in energy at the moment and a rest I think may have been good to recharge/invigorate him. 

Sods law with Farrimond getting injured, just as his chance to get a run of games was here. Fingers crossed it's short term enough to get him some games before French is back. 


It's impossible to say what the team should be this weekend. I thought Miski, Keighran, Wardle, Marshall and Nsemba looked to be playing a bit busted at Leigh, so we'll see what turns up. I think we'll be in for another tough night tbh but we'll hopefully have enough to get the win. 

Once again no back up options in the back row means Farrell Nsemba and Ellis are going to get flogged, it really is a massive hole in the squad 

I wonder if we've ever made any attempts to replace Isa. Nobody was to blame for his late decision to call it quits, it's just one of those things but it's left a hole we've not filled. I'd have also thought Hirst may have got a look in by now. Maybe the decision was always going to be that he does 12 months worth of getting used to the professional environment but it feels like it wouldn't hurt giving him some bench minutes here and there, if only to give Faz or Nsemba a bit of time off the field. I know Hirst got man of the match for Oldham at the weekend, so he's in a bit of form and should be match sharp. 

Hirst is the obvious one. Even if it's in an easier game. 


Also annoying that we've not made more of the Salford debacle. someone like Shorrocks on loan for the rest of the year, allows us some flexibility with Ellis. Rest him, move him to prop and rest another etc. 


One thing is for certain imo - the squad needed freshening up before the season started and it's even more obvious now. 

It's hard to say what we should and shouldn't do without knowing the cap situation I suppose. On the face of it you'd think the Isa money would be available but then other contracts have been renewed during the season, so maybe they took a longer term view and used that money. We could do with another option in that second row and even with young Vaughan coming in next year, I think we need to try and bring one in to add competition and provide rest opportunities. 


One thing I will say is we'll all have to be patient with signings over this next few seasons. We have a squad that is tied down in the main and there clearly won't be much room to move. We're in poor form at the minute but it's a fantastic squad, with just the second row position needing a bit of tinkering IMO. We'll see Hill and Byrne leave as well as a couple of other fringe/young players and Vaughan and Sambou will come in. I would be bringing Eseh back to compete for a prop spot and if we can get that one second rower in, on top of those, we'll be looking in good shape. 

You're right and I have zero doubts about the quality of the side - especially when it's on.


 I'm not 100% sold on the quality of our depth - they have potential talent, but are they just depth/bodies Vs being real competition for places?  


Hill is leaving, so it's a mute point, but is he pushing Byrne out of the side? Is Forber really putting pressure on the two in front of him. You'd have to say no. 


Nesemba practically ran Isa out of the side. Walters has made his mark. I can't honestly see Vaughn or Sambou dislodging Faz or Marshall etc.  That's not me bagging them btw, I'm just questioning the readiness.  


The problem with the above, is that players are somewhat 'safe'.  The squad picks itself 1 - 13 is nailed on with a couple of differing opinions around who starts at prop. You can have a bad game, or lull period because you know the guy behind you isn't taking your spot - even if you're dropped.  

I'm surprised that we haven't made any attempt to rest our back 3 forwards.   It does seem sort sighted when we could have eased in a couple of players to get a feel of where they stand if we do actually need them later in the season in the play offs.      

Peet is a fantastic coach, who has done an amazing job, is the first thing I'd say but I've always thought if there is a very slight weakness there, it's a unwillingness to rotate a little and give out opportunities to fringe players. Nsemba got a proper run on the back of Isa's broken leg and smashed the door down but pretty much every other game a fringe player has got is on the back of an injury. 

Eckersley, Farrimond, Hill, Forber etc only ever really play when an injury hits us. The odd appearance has been given out against London last year or Salford this but not much else. I just think having a little look at players and giving out some opportunities keeps everyone on their toes and keeps it fresh. 


It's not a major concern at all but something I think there could be a bit of tinkering done.