I must admit, I don’t know. He was certainly good enough to keep Drinkwater out of the team, and nobody would have been completely bowled over if we won it last year. So by that logic, he’s a chance.



I think a good example to look at is Harry Smith. Wigan fans were on his back when he was coming through, he got a rough ride but they stuck with him and he has cruised past Dodd as the “next England 7” and has realistically ended Lomax, Sneyd etc. England chances. He’s top class, the premier 7 in the competition by a distance.



I’m not saying that we blindly stick with a player from Young because of hope or suspicion, but he must have shown enough inside the club to earn that vote of confidence. I’m more than happy to give him an open mind. Let’s face it, if Ratchford is the other choice, it’s worth the gamble (no disrespect to Ratch, or Rubber Duckie).

Genuinely can't get my head round hating one of our own players.



Anyway hope Leyland has a good game, Sam has made all our bellyaching look daft.

I thought the same seeing the way some people talk about Ratchford, he's been a great servant and doesn't warrant such vitriol.

I didn't see any vitriol? Just people passing opinion on his selection. I think most people would regard Ratchford warmly.

Not sure saying someone is 'haunting the 17' is a particularly warm sentiment.

And in fairness you’d be right in my personal opinions towards Ratchford. IMO he’s been drastically overrated as a rugby league player throughout his career and, as such, has cost us on many occasions….also heard a few things that go against his ‘nice guy’ image.