Monday 6 April 2015 13:59, UK
The boys are back and ready to tear into each other once more as they go head-to-head with their Super League predictions.
On the pitch, Barrie McDermott and Terry O'Connor liked nothing better than tearing into the opposition.
They may have hung up their boots but that competitive streak still runs strong and we have found a way to channel their energies.
Each week they will give their predictions for the Super League games; they will score one point for a win and if they both pick the winner, then the pundit with the closest score gets an extra point.
Last year, McDermott pipped O'Connor to the title, and although Terry demanded a recount, he finally conceded that Barrie was the rightful winner.
Let battle commence!
Current standings
BARRIE - 36
TERRY - 43
Barrie says: Warrington have had an up and down month. I thought that with the squad that was assembled and the coach they had, that this was going to be their year. But they haven't quite yet found the formula that best works for the roster they have. So this is a period where they have to establish their form.
Losing to Huddersfield would have taken them back a bit too. The beauty of the Easter fixtures, though, is that they won't have too much time to overanalyse things ahead of the game. Castleford, who played well against Leeds, will have taken a few good points from a close loss, but how they bounce back on Monday will be a key factor to their entire season. It all depends on what type of squad these two teams are capable of fielding on the day, and also the state of their fitness.
Not the physical fitness, because that will always be difficult when it comes to such a quick turnaround, but their mental fitness. My instinct tells me Castleford will put in another brave performance, but it's also telling me that Warrington can't possibly let another two points slip by them.
Prediction: I'm going with a Warrington win, by ten points.
Terry says: Both sides go into this game on the back of a defeat against local rivals - Widnes and Leeds respectively.
Castleford beat Warrington 40-6 last year at the Mend-a-Hose Jungle on Easter Monday after Warrington had put 44 on Widnes on Good Friday.
The Warrington club couldn't get going against the Vikings, though they scored the first try. It's a big game for MOS winner Daryl Clark; this is his first game against the team that gave him his chance in the professional game. Will he know all of his former team-mates’ weaknesses, or will they know his?
Tony Smith’s men this season have played well at times and not so well on other occasions. Seventh place on the ladder isn't shameful, we just expect them to be higher up in the table. Over the years when we've looked at Warrington we associate them with scoring tries. This year they've failed to do that. Only Hull FC have failed to score more points than them. Something is just not clicking in attack at the minute and with the personnel they have, they should be scoring more.
Castleford created enough chances against Leeds and made supported tackle busts but couldn't ground the ball over the line. A frustrating day for the Castleford fans from start to finish.
When looking at this game and the short turnaround for teams in SL, some sides have had that extra day's recovery as they played on Thursday, which is exactly what Warrington did. Castleford on the other hand played on Friday on a heavy pitch which, believe me, will have taken its toll on the lads. Playing on a boggy pitch makes your legs heavy and I'm sure the coaching staff and conditioners will know that the lads need to get that new blood flowing through the body.
Prediction: Castleford have scored more and conceded less than Warrington this year but I fancy Tony's lads to bounce back and one of my reasons is because of the heavy pitch that Castleford endured on Good Friday. Warrignton by 12.
Barrie says: You could say that it’s difficult to travel as far as Widnes have for this game, especially with such a small amount of time since the last game, but I think it could work in the favour of the visitors. I know that Widnes went out early, which is key to their chances.
Over the Easter period coaches tell their players to look after themselves, but in reality once they hop in the car and drive off there’s no telling what they are up to. In this case Widnes will have all been together for a few days which I feel will help their chances.
They’re away from all the everyday distractions, in the sun, chatting to one another about the game itself, and if they do feel a bit stiff from the last game they will be able to jump in the pool or hit the gym together. So I see this as an advantage over the other travelling teams on Monday. Dragons are another team with a phenomenal playing roster but they haven’t quite clicked into place.
Their last home game was against Leeds Rhinos where they offered an hour of resistance but it wasn’t enough, and it ended up being a demoralising defeat. I’m picking them to bounce back though, and beat Widnes on Monday.
To do that they will need a superb game from Thomas Bosc, who went missing against Leeds a few weeks ago.
Prediction: Dragons by 16 points.
Terry says: The Easter period takes a lot out of you mentally and physically. The build-up during the week and the pressure on you as a player to beat the local rivals is tough. The Dragons don't have that pressure of that derby game at Easter this year now that London are in the Championship. I would also guess that they are not battered and bruised after they romped to a 40-4 victory over Wakefield.
Both sides are level on points in the league ladder, with Catalans just in front on points difference which puts them in 8th place. With the fight for the top 8 on, both sides will be looking to pick up the two important league points and remain near the top as the Super 8s come around.
Defensively Widnes looked superb against Warrington. The Vikings always score points at home but in this game they defended with a lot of commitment. To score six tries against Tony Smith’s men is a good effort and it shows you must take your chances. Denis Betts has rotated his side leaving Hanbury, Dean, Dudson and Mellor out of the 19 man squad. They are left at home with the injured Cahill, Flynn and Tickle, who is having surgery on a groin injury.
Confidence is a big thing in sport and Widnes will have to be good again to beat the Dragons at home. They can take comfort in the fact that the Dragons’ last two home games have seen them concede a total of 78 points.
I changed my mind last week on the Widnes v Warrington result during the warm up and tipped them to win because of the players available. On Monday a few youngsters will be keen and will be given an opportunity to shine in the Catalan region, I'm just wondering if the inexperience within the side will cost them.
Prediction: Catalans by 8.
Hull KR v Huddersfield
Barrie: Hull KR by 8
Terry: Hull KR by 12
Leeds v Wakefield
Barrie: Leeds by 20
Terry: Leeds by 30
Salford v Wigan
Barrie: Wigan by 6
Terry: Wigan by 8
St Helens v Hull
Barrie: Hull FC by 6
Terry: St Helens by 10
