Losing Hock is a slight blow as he can be a game changer.... but I'm not too bothered overall.

I'd rather focus on Ferres being called up and having a chance to input into the squad. He is a good player and deserves his chance - so lets focus on that, rather than Hock and his endless issues.

Congrats Ferres.

The thing is do people think this would of happened so close to an important game if say,Mal Reilly or Shaun Edwards was in charge?.

I honestly don't think the players rate or respect the current coach, and fear the performance's in this coming tournament will reflect that

"Serious breaches" has become "series of breaches", both ofwhich no doubt distinguish Hock's case from any others who may or may not have been involved?

Irs always someone elses fault when gareth hock makes a mistake according to some of his fans. Some of the stuff we had on the wigan board earlier in the year was awesome.

Equalled by only the conspiracy theorys of 9/11 and the moon landings!

Agreed, Salford fans falling over themselves to defend Druggy Hock.... How many times we going to see that in the next few seasons ???

Nobody is defending Gareth Hock, because nobody knows he has done. Anyone with half a brain would refrain from publically slating somebody (whether that be Gareth Hock or anybody else) without knowing anything about the situation.

For what it's worth, if Hock is guilty of some of the accusations thrown at him on here then I would have just dropped him from the remainder of the tournament and kept it out of the media. If he wasnt selected at all, would anybody have questioned it? I doubt it. To issue a statement citing "serious breaches of team discipline" sums England's management up to a tee, amatuerish.

I'm really worried about Saturday now.

It's not a question of defending, it's a question of actually knowing facts. You can't really cast a judgmental eye over something if you don't know exactly what went on. 'Druggy Hock' also shows a lack of restraint with your current attitude.

Apparently social media forced their hand on that one so you're being a bit unfair. From what i've heard the original intention was to keep it quiet.

That being said, the vague statement does nothing to quell the speculation so perhaps they could have been a bit more specific.

Time for the funniest hashtag of all time to resurface on Twitter:

#HockRumours

The rumours I've heard involve an illegal substance, a netball player, a hotel room and copious amounts of alcohol.

That's right, Hock's been booted out of camp 3 days before the first game for nothing. Just because Macnamara thought it would be a good laugh. Get a grip.

What all at the same time

Hock feels treated unfairly and says he wasn't the only one to break the rules

Perhaps McNamara realises that he is totally out of his depth coaching at this level and knows England hasn’t a hope in hell of winning the World Cup. Could this be a premeditated media manoeuvre to create a smokescreen to hide behind when it all goes predictably belly up?

Until he holds his hands up and accepts responsibility for HIMSELF he'll never get anywhere.

thats always his excuse, he needs to man up and start taking responsibility for him self.

doubt it we are already the underdogs its the only excuse we need.

Very true

Is the tin foil hat working?

Just showed part of an interview with him on BBC North West today. Full interview to be shown later on the 6:30 show

Truth hurts!!

Hock basically confirmed he and other players had been drinking after the Italy game and he also missed a 10 minute warm down swim the following morning.

From BBC Sport Website:

Gareth Hock has told the BBC that he does not think his breach of discipline was serious enough for him to be removed from England's World Cup squad.

The 30-year-old said he and some of his team-mates went on a night out after England's surprise defeat by Italy.

Hock overslept the next morning, missing a recovery session, and was informed of his dismissal in a phone conversation with coach Steve McNamara.

"For missing a 10 minute swim - I think it's out of order really," said Hock.

"I agree that it was wrong and we shouldn't have had a drink, but there were six or seven of us and we all did the same thing."

England have said they will make no further comment about Hock's removal. Huddersfield's Brett Ferres has been added to the squad in his place.

More to follow.

Why does everyone who steps out of line think that they automatically deserve a second chance FFS !?!?

It really p*sses me off that the majority can do the right thing, whilst the minority who don't then think they should be exempt any punative action.

It's pretty unprofessional for a 12 year old.