Are they though?

We have a FB who would be playing week in week out in the NRL if it wasn't for Billy Slater being his competition. The 2 wingers are stronger all round players than any we've really had for a while and the hb's are 2 of the best we've had for at least the last 10 years. IMO it's only the centres and I think Bridge is vastly underrated.

Widdop in, unbelievable!. Two competitive games in the NRL and he gets the nod! Hear we go again over hyping our young players before we have actually seen them prove themselves at any decent level for any reasonable period of time. All the over exposure we give our young lads will probably do more damage to them in the long run. How many players have we overhyped just to see them turn into disappointments? A few I would say. The best thing for the lad is to continue his development at Melbourne rather than bring him half way round the world to play in a one sided joke of an international.

Widdop overhyped??? No chance, he's only been picked for the squad versus France. We're short of fullback options so it's only right McNamara has a look at him.

It's hardly a baptism of fire. If he's not up to it then we'll have to fall back on Lee Smith.

One very very important statistic is not covered and thats who wins the collision leading to a quick play the ball. Momentum been so important in the modern game, and it all comes from this.

International selection on the back of 2 top level competitive games is a sign off an overhyped player in my view.

Just about picks itself but ...


Widdop
Hall
Shenton
Bridge
Briscoe
Tomkins
Eastmond/McGuire (depending on fitness)
Graham
Roby
Peacock
Ellis
Burgess
O'Loughlin

Morley
Scruton
J Tomkins
Westwood/Sinfield

I have nothing against Scruton who is a decent player but unless my maths are wrong he makes 6.51 metres per carry compared to Crabtrees 7.16.

Similalrly if you gross up Harrison's stats so he has played the same number of games as Scruton then he has more tackles, more metres made, more offloads, and more carries. This isn't to say that this is why Harrison should have been picked as I don't think stats tell the full story, but it does discredit your argument re the stats.

Like I said, I haven't got a problem with Scruton being picked who is a good player and my own preference for Harrison is no doubt motivated by bias as I get to see all his matches every week - just as Steve Mac gets to see all of Scruton's as well as seeing him training etc and knowing exactly what he is capable of. To repeat, I think Ben will prove himself in the longer term and expect to see him on the plane down under at the end of the year.

Anyone know when France name their team? It could be an unfortunate scoreline depending on the injuries. Though i'd like to think this international will give the French players a chance to forget about their woes at Catlans and show what they can really do.

The France team will just be the Catalans Dragons minus their Aussies and topped up with Catalans reserves.

England/GB have suffered too much by playing people out of position in the past - I would rather have a good player playing in his normal position than a 'supposedly' better one out of position

Hell, even NSW showed that if you play quality players out of position (Lyon and Hayne) then the whole is less than the sum of its parts

and finally... I get what you mean with Ellis but do you really think that Ablett would make a better centre option than Shenton or Bridge?

I have a feeling some TO lads will get a go and maybe one or two from the LER will be included in the squad.

I

What on EARTH have you been sniffing??
Having seen them both every week this year Ryan Atkins isn't in the same stratosphere as Bridge.
Bridge's problem ultimately will be he just isn't big enough at International level; he will be nullified.
Classy classy player but 13 1/2 stone just isn't big enough.
Pryce could be worth a shout

Got to agree with those who said our backs are poor. If we ever want to seriously compete with the Aussies then we need to be producing a lot better. No problems for me giving Widdop a run out either, Briscoe's hardly setting the league alight these days so why not? Good set of forwards though with plenty of go forward, this team should rattle up a fair few points against the French.

Team looks pretty simple to pick:

Widdop; Hall, Shenton, Bridge, Briscoe, Tomkins, Eastmond; Peacock, Sinfield, Graham, Ellis, J.Tomkins, Burgess
Bench: Scruton, Morley, Roby, O'Loughlin.

McGuire and Westwood back-up.

by being comfortably one of the best two half backs in the competition this year. He has been the most important player for leeds this year and i dread to think where we would be without him. He has covered for injuries and loss of form to Burrow and Sinfield, and has played out of his skin at SH for the last few weeks. He is still a much better player than either Eastmond or Tomkins (who has shown just how far from reaching his potential he is this year)

Was he covering them earlier in the season when you were not doing so good?

Honestly think we should line up 7. McGuire 6. Eastmond in this game.
I think Eastmond could do a LOT of damage as second receiver

yes he was. He is the one of 3 big names to show up consistently for us this season, Webb and Eastwood are the others.

As bad as we were earlier in the year, we would have been worse without him.

The case for the prosecution rests your honour.

Not a bad squad. Pretty pleased with the selections. From a personal point of view, it's nice to see Joel Tomkins getting some recognition for his fine performances so far this season.

As long as Gareth Widdop is sound defensively, has some pace and good support play then he will be better than what we have currently. Cameron Smith has been quoted saying he is similar to Billy Slater. Michael Shenton and Chris Bridge are sound defensively. I'm gradually growing fond of Chris Bridge. He's proving to be a classy player. Ryan hall had a good four nations too. Unsure on Tom Briscoe. He still has a lot to prove, but he's better than Peter Fox. Tomkins and Eastmond in the halves again.

Nick Scruton seems to have earnt his shot so I hope he goes well. Personally, I don't see what Eorl Crabtree has done wrong. I thought he had a strong four nations. Kevin Brown could have been given a shot too and I would have liked to have seen Matt Diskin get a shot.

We'll demolish France.

Leeds speaking to RFL about postponing the Quins game - www.therhinos.co.uk/11065.php

Leeds speaking to RFL about postponing the Quins game - www.therhinos.co.uk/11065.php

Lots of players that were outsiders at best 2 years ago. What a shock compared with the usual choice of "same as the last 5 years"

he's played really well in attack this year and finished a lot of moves. also played well against the bigger teams, leeds and saints. does get caught out in defence at times but he'll learn