Thompson underwent surgery in Bangladesh this week . His wrist is now full of titanium so I’m hearing. On route home he fell out the back of the tuk tuk and sprained his other wrist so I’m told .

Sorry, but it sounds like I'm "having a go" at you today (I'm not, just a difference of opinion!!!), but I thought the NDL rule was a rider who has achieved a CL average over 4.00 could not ride in the NDL, which would rule Starkey out??

How's it a waste? It should (virtually) guarantee 3pts so at worse a 3-3 and if the Glasgow reserve can beat the oppo reserve it should be a 4-2, rather that a "weaker" rider as R/R and potentially losing the heat? (IMO).

So, a similar situation then, if not as bad as it is, still bad?

Problem is Vuolas has been the most consistent comet (in a good way). Tate and batch have been the let downs but with a lack of available heatleaders would either get dropped? Bowes is still settling in whilst Hook and Foord are riding to their level. Sadly this year Workington is not a particularly well assembled team that relied upon Tate and Etheridge having a great year and thus far neither is.

Apparently already a done deal