m.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/37601554 24 man squad announced as: John Bateman (Wigan Warriors); Kevin Brown (Widnes Vikings); George Burgess; Sam Burgess; Thomas Burgess (all South Sydney Rabbitohs); Daryl Clark (Warrington Wolves); Mike Cooper (Warrington Wolves/St George-Illwarra Dragons); Liam Farrell (Wigan Warriors); Brett Ferres (Leeds Rhinos); Luke Gale (Castleford Tigers); James Graham (Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs); Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos); Chris Hill (Warrington Wolves); Josh Hodgson (Canberra Raiders); Jonny Lomax (St Helens); Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield Giants); Mark Percival (St Helens); Stefan Ratchford (Warrington Wolves); Dan Sarginson (Wigan Warriors/Gold Coast Titans); Scott Taylor (Hull FC); Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos); Elliott Whitehead (Canberra Raiders); Gareth Widdop (St George Illawarra Dragons); George Williams (Wigan Warriors). Not much to complain at there really, a good squad in my opinion. From that I'd go with: 1. Widdop 2. McGilvary 3. Watkins 4. Sarginson 5. Hall 6. Williams 7. Gale 8. Graham 9. Hodgson 10. Hill 11. Bateman 12. Whitehead 13. Burgess, S 14. Clark 15. Burgess 16. Ferres 17. Cooper

m.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/37601554 24 man squad announced as: John Bateman (Wigan Warriors); Kevin Brown (Widnes Vikings); George Burgess; Sam Burgess; Thomas Burgess (all South Sydney Rabbitohs); Daryl Clark (Warrington Wolves); Mike Cooper (Warrington Wolves/St George-Illwarra Dragons); Liam Farrell (Wigan Warriors); Brett Ferres (Leeds Rhinos); Luke Gale (Castleford Tigers); James Graham (Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs); Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos); Chris Hill (Warrington Wolves); Josh Hodgson (Canberra Raiders); Jonny Lomax (St Helens); Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield Giants); Mark Percival (St Helens); Stefan Ratchford (Warrington Wolves); Dan Sarginson (Wigan Warriors/Gold Coast Titans); Scott Taylor (Hull FC); Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos); Elliott Whitehead (Canberra Raiders); Gareth Widdop (St George Illawarra Dragons); George Williams (Wigan Warriors). Not much to complain at there really, a good squad in my opinion. From that I'd go with: 1. Widdop 2. McGilvary 3. Watkins 4. Sarginson 5. Hall 6. Williams 7. Gale 8. Graham 9. Hodgson 10. Hill 11. Bateman 12. Whitehead 13. Burgess, S 14. Clark 15. Burgess 16. Ferres 17. Cooper

Congratulations to the Leeds trio, thoroughly deserved.

Indeed, their performances in 2016 were thoroughly, erm...

Watkins played well against Fev away.

Yep.

Which English centre, winger and second rower not in the squad are better than Watkins, Hall and Ferres?

Why do people always suggest picking players out of position for the national side?

The three Leeds that were included were fair enough. Ferres has done a good job for England last year but not sure if he will feature this time around. Watkins gets in because there is no one else but it really is up to him to show some heart this year and generally turn up. Hall has had a mediocre year but is the best man we have for that position, there is hard running to be done not sure the young pretenders are readt yet.

I don't think many Leeds fans would disagree that our players included are a touch fortunate. England lack of centres is well documented. Hall fortunate that Manfredi is injured and likewise for Ferres and some 2nd row options.

However Ferres had a disappointing injury hit year for Hudds in 2015 but was one of our best performers last year. Hall is a rarity in that he's a back who has performed well at International level and he actually missed a lot of Leeds' struggles through injury and missing his carries was a key part of that. Watkins had a shocker for England last year no doubt but I think his tank was running on empty after playing a big part in helping Leeds over the finishing line last year and he'll arrive for England much fresher mentally and physically and I think he"ll show up well this time.

I'd rather have Bateman at centre than Watkins - he shouldn't be anywhere near the England squad on his form this year, he'll get murdered by the Aussies and Kiwis.

Matty Smith has been hard done too, he played in the team that beat New Zealand last time out and has just won a grand final, but then again Betts is on the coaching team and Brown plays for his club team.

Just happy he's picked English players.

Burgess, Atkins and Hughes to name a few.

Frankly it makes little difference who we pick - not because I don't think we can win, we can and we always could but for thirty years we simply haven't had a team who's mindset allowed them to do it.

Forget about size, skill and speed - we have that it just doesn't show up on the big occasion. What we need is the perfect storm which is what the Aussies always seem to create. That's 17 players, on form, all fit and all understanding the game plan and the ticker to carry it out.

It's not rocket science, when an ordinary player like Cooper can make a real fist of it in the NRL then you know they are not supermen. They are beatable if you believe they are.

In WW2 the British soldier considered the Japanese invincible in the jungle after suffering a number of catastrophic defeats. Then an eccentric officer called Ord Wingate took a group of ordinary (not elite) soldiers and created the Chindits. The effect the Chindits had materially on the Japs was small though more than was expected. However what it did prove was that we could fight just as well in the jungle as the Japs and ultimately we won. It was all about organisation, belief and proving a point.

That said the WW2 generation was made of far stronger stuff than more recent one

1. Ratchford
2. Mcgilvary
3. Sarginson
4. Watkins
5. Hall
6. Widdop
7. Gale
8. Graham
9. Hodgson
10.Taylor
11. Bateman
12 S Burgess
13. Ferres.

Bench.
Hill, G Burgess, Farrell, Clarke.

If you mean Joe Burgess he's injured and needs a Hernia Op

Hughes - Seriously?
Atkins - Honestly?

What has Houghton got to do to get a chance?! I know they play different positions, but I'd have had him instead of Brown, already 3 halfs in the squad and Ratchford is quite capable at 6 if needed. Apart from that the squad looks pretty fair taking into account who is available. If Manfredi was fit then I'd be tempted to pick him over Hall, but there will always be injuries. Need the Knights system back in my opinion to bring the likes of Greg Minikin and Tom Johnstone into the system for the future. Anybody know why it was got rid of?

Aye, they've both had better seasons. besides, Watkins has always been anonymous for England, despite claims he's the best centre England have. Ben Currie would've been better.

Apart from coming up with good finishes against New Zealand in the WC semi and against the Aussies in the 4 Nations of 2014? He's done ok in previous years but did have a shocker in 2015 but I think much like Hull, Wigan and Wire fans are already saying about some of their players right now, he was worn out by the end of that season having to defend like a 2nd row in the final weeks because of us starting Burrow at hooker.

I'd like to see what he can do under Bennett before writing off his International chances. Add in Lomax as potential starting FB to link with in attack and think many are writing him off way too soon and if the new, better & experienced coach can get him firing he is a much better choice than any other centre. Atkins is hardly a guarantee to be a better option.

Atkins ahead of any of the Centres selected for me, Watkins - seriously!!

Exactly.

It baffles me when people talk about picking on form. How far back does 'form' start? Or end?

Hall and Ferres have done very good things for England in the past (Watkins less so but he's clearly our best centre) and they have credit in the bank as far as I'm concerned. Just because some players may have had a more eye catching season isn't the be all and end all and you can never pick a national side just based on form. Those lads have form, it's form for performing against the best for England.

And I'm a Wigan fan who find praising anything Leeds quite a challenge.

Anyone who thinks Atkins is better than Watkins needs to give the game up

I don't know but Bennett knows what he's doing, presumably he wants a more attacking creative hooker. Houghton is a good all round hooker and has the highest work rate but theres no doubt clarke and hodgson have abit more punch in attack.

I dont think anyone has touched on the fact that after all the hype and talk of the possibility the Bennett was not bothered who he was gonna pick meaning several Aussies who could play for us through heritage he has not picked 1.

Which for me at least is more pleasing that any actual name that is on that list. Was it all just pie in the sky or was a it a Ruse to get people talking about it on both sides of the globe - either way Im happy none made it in and we have an English team.


On notable omissions im glad there not there - O'Loughlin, tomkins etc im in the past these kind of players would have been tagged along with the mindset they might be fit later for the comp etc. It shows what Bennett is made of no one being carried everyone fighting fit from the start and maybe a slight indication that we have plan B when many would always ague otherwise.

When we can talk about leaving players out on Rugby alone e.g a Man of Steel that is fit its a sign that maybe just maybe that things dont look that bad

Personally I would have had Houghton _ One of my Fave players but the Fact that we have at least 3 more players of sufficient quality to choose from in that position is great, people saying he is 4th or 5th choice has to be good. Both Hodgson and Clark are both quality 9's and that leaves out Roby also, Again Mcilorum has been selected in the past another great 9.

The Rest of the squad I have little qualms over - The winger debate is interesting - Our 3rd Strongest position behind Hooker and Prop I feel in terms of depth and yet only 2 Recognized are included I would have a a 3rd at least for the Internal Competition. Hall, lots of people knocking him but lets face it this season he has been fed on scrapps as we all know about Leeds season as a Team, but that hasn't made him a bad player, different prospect in an England team I feel. With McGilivray I see similar story Ive to a couple of Giants matches this season he for me along with Cudjoe have been lights in a struggling side and again I feel in the International Environment he will be fine, just would have liked to have seen another winger there also, For me one of the younger guys such as Jonstone or Swift.

Prop - Cant really say too much on that one All worthy - I just liked to have seen Walmsley given a go tho

Centre: Obviously a real tough one as we lack a bit here - Im glad Percival has been picked, but again Watkins has had a shocking season in one where he could really have stepped up taken the limelight at leeds, I think he must redeem himself here and have a belter against NZ.

Another thing on the Captain from Id have James Graham and Sam B as Vice

So my Team from whats picked is

Lomax
Hall
Percival
Watkins
Mc Gilivray

Widdop
Gale

T. Burgess
Hodgson
Graham

Whitehead
Farrell
S. Burgess


Clarke
G. Burgess
Bateman
Hill

Houghton 18 try assists vs Clark's 3. That type of creative? Clark is a better runner from dummy half with more clean breaks in him, not more creative though

That doesn't factor in the styles of the teams they play for. Hull are more likely to have a prop barrel over at 1st receiver than Warrington are.

I'm not disagreeing about Hodgson and Clarke, both deserve a spot in my opinion. I just feel as though there is room for another hooker in the squad in place of Brown, as I think there is plenty of cover in the halves without him. I feel as though Brown has been given a place just to please Betts. On the flip side, it's nice to have so many quality hookers that we can have this conversation. And no Aussie 'has been' who qualify because their Great Grandad visited here once! Gotta be happy about that one.