Butcher:

If we go by your criteria laegend, Trinity have Trueman, O Russell, Nikotemo, Storton, Doyle, and M Russell all out. And it's looking like Harvey Smith will be out too. All of them bar possibly Olly Russell would play in Perpignan this weekend. That's 7, maybe 8 starters. Add Lawford and Shaw, and we're up to double figures. I don't think Trojan saying 'almost double figures' was pushing it. We're missing a third of our squad, and that's significant.


For reference, at the weekend Huddersfield were missing Evalds, Swift, Lolohea, Clune, Woolford, Murchie, Rushton, English, King. 9 of their first 17, so I really do feel for them, but we're not far behind. The difference is our depth, which is no accident from Ste Mills. However, I personally think we've reached our limit in the halves. We have options (Pitts at 6 Cozza at 13 or Jowitt at 6 Rourke at 1), but either is a big drop in quality for us. We can keep playing that way for a couple of weeks til we get Trueman back, but it's not sustainable if Trueman aggravates his back again.


Just on Trueman - if you're going by number of games played, then so far Trueman hasn't paid off. But if you're going by effect on the team when he plays, he was still a good signing IMO. If he's out for most of the season, I'll agree with you and say he was a dud. But not yet.

Fil:

I see Rowan Stephenson (along with Ellis Lingard and Robbie Brook) has been selected for the Yorkshire Academy squad, so could he perhaps step up for a game or two ??

Butcher:

Lomax has an ankle issue.


There really aren't many halves about - and not many clubs will let their first reserve go out on loan. As mentioned before, our options are basically Oli Leyland, dipping into the Championship, or Rowan Stephenson. 


Leyland can't get another game under Sam Burgess, and I can see why. He's a talented, mercurial type who is best playing off the cuff when the pressure's off, and that doesn't suit Warrington. He's out on loan at Widnes so I'm sure would be happier playing with us. But I'm not sure it'd be wise.


As for the Champ, there are a few really handy halves - likes of Gilmore, Keyes, Walker, Shorrocks - but it doesn't necessarily mean they'll be good to slot into an SL team at a week's notice, or that they'll want to take the opportunity with little guarantee of a future offer.


Curious to see how we go this weekend. But if Trueman's absence is indefinite, then I'm finally ready to see Stephenson get a shot. If he's picked for Academy Origin he must be pretty handy.