https://www.saintsrlfc.com/2020/02/0...rington-clash/
Knowles and Nisbet come into the squad for Coote and Amor.
https://www.saintsrlfc.com/2020/02/0...rington-clash/
Knowles and Nisbet come into the squad for Coote and Amor.
NEVER WRITE OFF THE SAINTS
Difficult one to predict. I think you can probably discount Dodd and Nisbet but then there are cases for all the others depending on your preference. I think he’ll go:
Welsby
Naiqama
Costello
Percival
Grace
Lomax
Fages
Walmsley
Bentley
Thompson
Peyroux
Taia
Knowles (assuming fit)
LMS
Ashworth
Lees
Paulo
It’s a tough one because there’s a few different alternative combinations he could go with such as
Peyroux centre, Naiqama wing, leave Costello out and use Bentley or Batchelor right back row.
And/Or
Smith on the bench; leave out Ashworth or Paulo.
NEVER WRITE OFF THE SAINTS
1. Jack Welsby
2. Kevin Naiqama
3. Matty Costello
4. Mark Percival
5. Regan Grace
6. Jonny Lomax
7. Theo Fages
8. Alex Walmsley
9. James Bentley
10. Luke Thompson
11. Zeb Taia
12. Dom Peyroux
13. LMS
14. Morgan Knowles
15. Matty Lees
16. Jack Ashworth
17. Aaron Smith
Interesting to see what we do in the three quarters; lots of options.
If Costello doesn't play in this one then he isn't really going to see much game time this year.
I have a feeling Aaron Smith might miss out, Bentley to start at 9 and Knowles starts at 13 and plays some minutes at 9. Costello at centre but switching with Naiqama on some of the attacking plays, Welsby working that right hand edge similar to the second half Salford game.,
I assume naming Knowles means he will play. For me I would replace Paulo with Costello. Rest of team as last week.
Humans are more concerned with having than being.
Total agreement with last 2 posts
I don't think we'll see Smith starting this one. Remember last season when he got KO'd early in the game against Warrington? His defence is still an issue, so he's better coming off the bench when defences are tired and he isn't as exposed defensively against big packs. Bentley is more solid in the middle so I think we'll look to soak up any early pressure that Warrington have and hit them later in the half.
Originally Posted by Despondent Dave
I'd expect Costello to be on the wing to be honest for minimal disruption. I think he'd play to a similar level there as he would centre so there's no point moving Kev out wide therefore losing some of his qualities for me.
I could agree with you but then we would both be wrong.
It's a tricky one. I totally agree that Bentley's distribution is well short of the mark, but he's a tough defender and will get right in the mix. Aaron Smith is a natural 9 but almost every time I've seen him play against a good/big pack he's been steamrollered. He doesn't necessarily miss a lot of tackles but opponents know there's a guaranteed quick ruck if they run at him. I think I'd stick with Bentley at 9 until the game softens up a bit and then put Smith on.
I think it will be Costello starting at centre and Naiqama at wing but as the game progresses we could see Naiqama coming inside on any set moves. Naiqama has played loads of games on the wing and one on one with Charnley would be a nightmare for him with Naiqama's upper body strength.
I agree with this. We have a few sweeping moves that end with a cut out pass to the winger that rely on Makinson's speed off the mark, strength and finishing ability. We tried it a couple of times and Welsby went nowhere, shifted Naiqama there and two quick tries. Costello centre and Naiqama wing helps our game plan best.
I wouldn't be surprised to see LMS starting with Knowles coming off the bench, depends how many minutes he has in him. Smith over Bentley at hooker for me.
Welsby, Naiqama, Costello, Percival, Grace, Lomax, Fages, Walmsley, Smith, Thompson, Taia, Peyroux, LMS
Subs: Lees, Ashworth, Knowles, Bentley
Paulo, Dodd, Batchelor and Nisbet to miss out.
Forwards win games. The backs decide by how much.
I think Bentley will play. He’s not the long term solution for me but in a physical game where we’ll need to start well it’s horses for courses. Smith will be tailor made to come on and give us a bit of zip when the game softens up a bit
Our pack is likely to be, now what is the word I’m looking for, no not “lightweight”, oh yes “mobile” our pack will be very mobile.
Re Wing/Centre.
Nico Rizzelli / Josh Simm at centre With naiqama to wing or tom nisbet on the wing ???
Costello is ok but he is a been given a go and he is just a bit Matty Fleming for me.