Quote NickyKiss="NickyKiss"I would pick one from Dudson and Fielden in this game as they both were clearly lacking match fitness. I thought Fielden was the better and more involved of the 2 though so he gets my vote.'"
Picking two props who are likely to be lacking match fitness does seem like an unnecessary risk. Fielden seemed to do a bit more against Saints which will help his cause, although Dudson does have some very good form earlier in the season counting in his favour. Fielden is perhaps more of an unknown. His experience is definitely something that would count in his favour.
Lauaki looked good to go for the under 20's so if Wane goes with four props I imagine they'd be Lima, Mossop, Lauaki and Fielden. If he goes with five then Flower will probably be the other prop included but for me that's a waste. He's just not really effective as a prop and I don't see what he's do against a big pack like Catalans. He can cover loose forward but not as well as Farrell can.
Something you need in playoff games are people in form and for me Jack Hughes has done well enough to be included. Packing three props onto the bench who either haven't been able to build up any form or aren't exactly in great form is possibly just increasing the chances of the pack getting beaten. Still, I'd be very surprised if Hughes did make the bench.
Leuluai and Smith should rotate at hooker and scrum half. Tommy's link with the players on the right side and with Finch could be key but he's also a much stronger defender than Smith and strong defence in the forwards could be important. Smith has a stronger kicking game so it would help if he could have some time at scrum half to put in some accurate kicks.
I'm expecting the team to be;
Tomkins; Charnley, Goulding, Carmont, Richards; Finch, Leuluai; Lima, Smith, Fielden/Dudson; Hansen, Hock, O'Loughlin
Subs - Mossop, Lauaki, Flower, Farrell.
