Close on four seasons these days perhaps but not many over two full seasons in the 60's/70's (although a reduced number of substitutions or none at all.)

Didn't really seem to matter though did it. Actually come to think of it, I'm pretty sure that I remember Hanley kicking goals at some point so he must have been able to kick, of sorts. He wasn't a passer in the Andy Greg sense, but could pass, he just didn't need to, IMHO of course

So difficult to leave out some class acts. So to make it easier I have restricted my choice to players that I have seen myself.

That is with the one notable exception of Arthur Clues. I saw him play for Hunslet just the once but got to know Arthur after his playing days. The reason I have included him is because so many people whose opinions I admire rate him so highly and I wanted an enforcer in the pack and I suppose what swung it was you just have to admire a guy that scored a try and made a century at both Headingley and Sydney cricket ground.


Ken Thornett

Les Dyl (I know he is a centre but I had to include him)
Garry Schofield
Lewis Jones
John Atkinson

John Holmes
Mick Shoebottom

Jamie Peacock
David Ward
Steve Pitchford
Arthur Clues
Ellery Hanley
Ray Batten

Bench if allowed
Danny McGuire
Kevin Sinfield
Gareth Ellis
Bill Ramsey


With Jones, Shoebottom, Holmes, Schofield all able to play at SO, Centre or FB I have picked Shoey at 7 as he was also an outstanding scrum half.

I would have liked the speed of ET on the wing but he doesn't qualify for the 100 matches and perhaps neither does Rosenburg? So Dyl gets in obove Alan Smith.

Harris good though he was could not be fitted in.

If these players were in their prime then you would see pace, power and an incredible mix of creative players with all the skills.

Interestingly, the book that I quoted earier had some teams listed by some well respected people (people who's judgement I'd take as pretty good) and looked at who they'd pick for the players that I've never seen.

After all, why should we all hold up Jeppo's judgement as something special ? Just because he's old, doesn't make his judgement 100% solid .... Wasn't he involved in the signing of Peter Smith ? Smith is judged on another thread as just about the worst player in living memory to pull on the blue & amber