The fact that Maurie gets into the squad ahead of someone like Lynch, Crabtree or Moore is rediculous. I mean i know the people will be added to the squad but the fact he is even in is a joke for me.

Rant Over.

As for the rest of the squad its nice to see a wildcat in there, didnt think ryan would get in for me, hell have a hard job to stay in there and make the match itself.

Sad note though, id like to see Briscoe added. Possibly even Ryan Owen think hes been a good performer. Might be a bit premature too but Ainscough?

I think we understand that, but even as a first step, it leaves something to be desired IMO.

Firstly the things I think are good about it.
It is different. I had severe reservations about the Saints-Leeds domination of the WC squad and the shortage of props. But, when people said that the club combinations and familarity might give England an edge, that a small mobile pack would be well suited to the firm pitches in Aus and that we should just trust Tony Smith, I bought into that. He seems to have learnt the first two lessons (and I have certainly learnt the third). Now he has picked an abundance of props and some fresh faces from less fashionable clubs for his first elite group, while avoiding throwing the baby out with the bathwater. It is good to see LMS, Westerman and Myler given a chance to develop. Tom Briscoe too, but whereas the first three might learn from Peacock, O'Loughlin and Burrow, Briscoe [iappears[/i to be the best we have, in Tony Smith's view. There are arguably two better (now) English wingers at Hull FC - certainly their anti-Fox brigade were waving the spectre of Calderwood or Raynor being included, much more prominently than T.Briscoe. This squad [iseems[/i like a stunning vote of no-confidence in English wingers (and fullbacks). Of course, it might be the opposite, TS might regard himself as spoilt for choice and just be delaying a difficult decision. Saying that and name-checking a few players would then have been a good idea.
To me, leaving out Fa'asavalu or Morley to include David Hodgson or Peter Fox, would have been wiser - but then Huddersfield or HKR fans would have felt aggrieved that their club was the [ionly[/i English SL team without representation. I realise that Smith shouldn't spend his time worrying about keeping divs like me happy. He'll be judged on results in the 4 nations. Until then, I am entitled to my doubts - this 'squad' has allayed some old ones, but created a couple of new.

Fox and Briscoe not in the squad, am I the only Rovers fan that isn't bothered about it?

Nope, see my posts on the subject. I have always hated Rovers players being selected for in season internationals, in fact I remember once in the 80's we had 7 named in a GB squad and none were allowed to play the match before. Its a nightmare.

Sorry fellow Robin, I didn't read the whole thread, you're right though, when the likes of Casey, Holdstock, Fairburn, Watkie and co were stripped away, it left the likes of Robinson and Lydiat to play against Hull.











































And still win.

Would of liked to see Adamson in the squad. If he carries on how good hes been this year he should get in the squad some time. Hes been as good if not better then Myler this year from what i have seen.