Big question is whether Max is ready. I'd give him all the way up to squad submission and make a call then. We want him firing for Cas - if that means resting him or giving him a chance to get back up to speed, I don't know. 

If he's fully fit, I'd go: Rourke, Johnstone, Pratt, Scott, Walmsley, Jowitt, Lino, McMeeken, Hood, Uele, Vagana, Croft, Pitts; Smith, Atoni, Rodwell, Nikotemo.


If he's not, I'd go: Rourke, Johnstone, Pratt, Scott, Walmsley, Lino, Pitts, Rodwell, Hood, Uele, Vagana, Croft, McMeeken; Smith, Atoni, Faatili, Nikotemo.


Either way I'd start Croft and bring Nikotemo on at half time if fit.


But looking at those two teams, it makes a huge difference if Max is back. He's a quality 6 - can organise, kick, play off the cuff, and played plenty there.

Good assessment PB.Cozza has defo stepped up and improved over time, good to see him going well.
Not having a bash here, but I still think there is that mindset with refs re the "bigger teams" - seeming to get more favourable decisions still...... 

Agree completely with Cozza's performance, but for me that's a good reason to bring him off the bench again. For me, you don't need to start players just because they're playing well - sometimes they're most effective off the bench. Atoni is a case in point; he was very ordinary in his first spell at 13, and lacked the intensity in defence that Pitts always starts with. Atoni, however, is so destructive off the bench once the opposition has been softened up. Play to your squad's strengths, not just their form.


Pitts wasn't good at 6, but we also missed him at 13. There's a bit of talk above about Max not being a 6, but he genuinely is - played loads there as a youth, in our reserves, and much of last season there. He's a great organiser, good kicker, and his pass selection will be just as effective there as at full back. Rourke has never played there, not even amateur.


If Max is fit, Thursday's team picks itself: Rourke, Johnstone, Pratt, Scott or Hall, Walmsley, Jowitt, Lino, McMeeken, Hood, Uele, Vagana, Nikotemo, Pitts; Smith, Rodwell, Atoni, Cozza.

Not sure why you've edited it that way Bullseye but I didn't say that Trojan did.


I'd appreciate you not making out they were my words