I agree, but on paper looking at all the squads we have an opportunity to at least make the WC final again for the first time since 1995 which would be a step in the right direction.

If we can make it playing some good rugby and compete in the final then i think that would be a good result.

exactly.

I never said Bennett was a poor coach I said he wasn't the right guy for our national side.

Regards

King Dong

Getting like football this, every forum you go on all the posters are happy to say their best players aren't going to the WC so they can have a full preseason or get over injuries etc. Shows the mentality of the modern day fan - club first, country second - and I feel that is the case with a lot of players these days too. More so for football, especially when it comes to friendlies, but see more and more of it happening in RL, so it's no wonder England/GB never do anything in tournaments.

I think it's two-fold; some of it is sour grapes - in that the same people saying they are glad their best players aren't involved would be lauding their inclusion were it to have happened.

Secondly, I think lots of people have lost interest in England RL because we've had years of crap coaching, strange selections and failure to perform - and now we have an Aussie coach who seems to be doing the job against his will, and can't summon up an ounce of enthusiasm for the media or supporters to latch onto.

yep. I appreciate what a good club coach Wayne Bennett is before people jump in with that, it's undeniable, but never saw him as a good fit for the England coaching role. I knew he would have us playing the grind style but that will never beat Australia because they simply play that style miles better than anybody else. We need a passionate coach next, someone who when he gets the best group of players together for short periods makes them feel like they would run through brick walls for the shirt and is aware to what each player actually brings to the table.(Bennett selecting Brown and Ratchford shows he isn't really watching) Yes, i'm talking about Shaun Wane as that man with hopefully Daryl Powell as assistant.

For all the stick McNamara got, from the turn of this decade when we had a poor group of players in general and were as low as i can ever remember on the international stage. he built us back up and got us within hair of a WC Final, 4 nations final away from home and a series victory over the Kiwis it actually feels we have taken a step back with Bennett so far.

That said, i really hope we can go well in this WC and will be fully behind all the lads chosen to represent us.

I'd prefer it the other way around.

yeah, Think you could have it either way really but we all know Powell would do the proper coaching, and just thinking for Figurehead you want Wane, he would be great in the media talking England/GB up to the max complete opposite of Bennett.

McDermott will probably in the mix for the job too, be interesting to see who they go for it's a big call with the international calendar looking pretty decent for the next few years.

As much as he falls in and out of favour with Leeds fans, I think Uncle Bri would be a positive influence; for all his enigmatic nonsense, he's actually quite an inspiring character, and tough as nails - and it seems that players like and respect him. I'd be happy to see my fellow Lupset lad involved - and the England team coached by an Englishman with some skin in the game. That sounds a bit UKIP - not my intention at all - I just find Bennett's apparent lack of interest grating.

I'd prefer not to see thug Wane anywhere near the England team or even SL if possible. Terrible suggestion.

That's how I see it .I also agree with the poster comparing it with national football side. Brown's inclusion is the strangest for me and the continued non selection of Houghton.Im not his or his teams biggest fan but what he's done over his career particularly last couple of season he deserves a chance at the top level.Ok Roby had a decent second half of season but he's way past his peak and Clark didn't do much of note in an under performing Wire.it is what it is and I will watch in hope

wonder if they will go with ratchfor instead of lomax at full back, hopefully they will

think brown is just back up for widdop and gale in the halves

Surely Sneyd would just be as capable? Brown has never been a big game player which seems to be a crucial factor in international selection and at 33 probably will never be.

On a side note, are Wales and Scotaustralialand participating this year?

Yes, both squads have been announced.

Do you have any evidence to back this up? The 2016 Four Nations has the highest ever overall attendance for a Four Nations in this country, it doesn’t seem like people are losing interest to me.

but sneyd isnt in the squad and hasnt been training with the elite squad either so brown will be ahead of him... also having worked with the coach and played too for England

dont forget the impressive result down under against samoa when england won 30-10... surely bennett has to show some loyalty to the group that got the job do very well that day

Its ridiculous to suggest Bennett doesn't care. He helped NZ win the World Cup and put his hand up for England because he cares passionately about the international game. He's not doing it for money or kudos.

With Bennett comes credibility in Oz, but also the reality that he hates giving interviews. Most of the time when talking about the Broncos he looks bored rigid and like he doesn't care if they win or lose.

I think having the Elite squad at this moment in time is pretty daft. It means that there is little chance of the players who go to 3 or 4 meet ups during the season getting removed from the squad in favour or a more in form player, but who may not have had any International experience. We don't play enough Internationals for it to be a 'closed shop' so to speak

Aside from the thug comment (0 red cards and low-ish penalties this year), I wouldn't want him as head coach because he lacks tactical nous. Worse than that, he doesn't seem to realise it. He tends to get teams up for big games though, and we have tended to defend pretty well under him. Wouldn't mind him in as defensive coach, or some sort of motivation role. If they made him head coach, he would just do it his way rather than make use of any talented assistants around him.

Would agree with that. I think Wane's passion would make him a very good assistant coach for England.

Looks like a first choice 13 in the warm-up match.

Interesting that Bateman is at right centre.

Oh dear. I am not saying Bateman isn't capable, but he isn't the 2nd best centre we have

Seems like a very negative option to me, as though we are more bothered about what they will do than what we will do. Unless Bennett is saying to himself "Percival has one centre spot, let's see the other two battle it out for the second spot"

I agree. England never seem to learn NOT to select players out of position. If Bennet is concerned about defensive capabilities of his centres then Shenton is an automatic pick as he's a great defender. He may not be the most brilliant attacking centre but, then, neither is the second-row forward known as Batemen.

Did you mean Watkins?