Rugby League: Expect Wembley selection shocks

Tony Smith is denying he has something up his sleave

Cant quite shake off the suspicion that one or other Wembley coach has a selection shock up his sleeve.

For Warrington, that would be bringing back Chris Bridge ahead of time from his shoulder operation. Tony Smith is adamant thats not going to happen, but I cant shake off the image of a couple of Wolves colliding in training and Chris getting the nod.

(The Bridge too Far pun, by the way, is Smiths own work. Credit where its due.)

Last year, his surprises were the inclusion of Micky Higham after injury and of Tyrone McCarthy after a mere handful of senior games.

McCarthy is now in the relative obscurity of Leigh at the moment and Higham could miss out this year to Jon Clarke, who has done enough since he made his comeback to earn a place. I reckon hell start, with Michael Monaghan at scrum-half and Richie Myler on the bench.

One of the big decisions at Leeds seems to have been made with Lee Smith preferred to Scott Donald on the right.

The trickier choices are in the pack, but Brian McClennan will probably start with Leuluai, Buderus, Bailey, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett and Sinfield.

That would mean Diskin, Lauitiiti, Clarkson and Eastwood on the bench.

That would leave Ian Kirke as the unlucky forward to miss out, but Greg Eastwood, despite his stop-start season, just offers more game-breaking impact.

Whatever the precise line-ups, it should be a classic. Ill be disappointed if its merely a good final.

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