No thanks.
Dobson is a fine player but he is an Aussie.

I can't believe I am reading this!! You are saying that Dobson is the best of a bad bunch??

If he gained British Citizenship it would take him off the Overseas Quota, however he'd still be counted on the "Non-Federation Trained" list. (If he's on it in the first place)

Dobson may not be earth-shattering, but his type of game is exactly what England have lacked at halfback for years - someone who organises the team, moves them around the field with some kind of plan, and has a very good kicking game. Far too many SL halfbacks are very poor at what should be considered the absolute basic requirements for a halfback, whilst being nippy or dangerous runners. That's the very reason England have to pick the likes of Sinfield at stand-off or loose forward, because the halfbacks are no good at it.

As an aside I read somewhere that the same trend seems to be happening at junior level in Aus, with NRL sides complaining that halfbacks can't do the basics.

Firstly my answer would be NO.

Citizenship should not allow sports stars to play for that country, I'd happily allow somone with a parent and I'd begrudgingly allow someone with a grandparent but not someone who has lived here for a few years because he can earn more money over here than he can in Australia or New Zealand.

I get where Kelvins Ferret is coming from about Dobson, yes he is possibly the best scrum half in the Super League but he was a bit part player in the NRL even when returning from two very good spells in the ESL with Catalans and Wigan. If Dobson were to return to Australia would he be a regular scrum half? Would he be put at hooker? Would he be the reserve as he was previously? I think the latter is more than likely even if he is the best SL has to offer, which is why Kelvins Ferrets's statement of him being best of a bad bunch holds a fair bit of water.

What I would say about other countries/sports doing such things as this is that why lower ourselves? Why not accept that the players we produce cannot beat players Australia and New Zealand produce on a regular basis. Ok say Aus didnt pick players that were not born there, replace them with players that were and we still get our backsides handed to us even if we were allowed to play all Aussies with UK citizenship!

The only people who deserve to wear the red and white of England are the English. I will never support someone who plays but is not from that country and will not class a win of any kind as a good result while they are in that team.

Is Dobson on the non-fed list out of interest? I know he signed for Rovers mid-2008, but he debuted in SL in 2006 for Catalans before moving to Wigan that year and then back to Aus in 2007. Would that give him exemption?

I hope to God Dobbo doesn't play for England. Every defeat will have a certain Leeds fan laying the blame at his feet. Aside from that I'd rather keep him fresh for the real business of playing for his club.

I'd say no, but then again I don't suppose the English public were deriding the Ashes winning cricket team were they?

I think it's a good idea. Put him alongside a decent running stand off and we'd be in a good position.

If Eastmond goes it certainly creates an opportunity for somebody, Dobson? Not sure. It almost feels like we're cheating having him out there, he's a good player granted, but he's an Aussie, simple as.

Between him and Brough for me, as the best 7s in SL at present. If either are eligible, I'd pick them in the squad. Works in cricket, RU and football.

Whilst I rate Rangi Chase. The Kiwis didn't do too bad without him did they?

The difference is though, Pietersen and Trott have at least one English parent and have had a British passport since childhood, so they are half English. Getting through on residency, is something else, especially if that's your only connection with England.

But we already did this with Willie Manu.

This SO true!!!

The Aussies, Kiwis and PNG would have seen the "open door" and run a horse and coaches through it!!!!

Oh they did

Brough is Scottish, he made his choice and should stick to it, select him
For GB yes

If people are saying don't select Dobson cos he's an Aussie, it's the same argument for Brough, at least Dobson hasn't represented a country at senior level

I care

I have waited a very long time to see GB and then England achieve international success

And I am prepared to wait a little longer for us to do it with English players... it will be all the sweeter for it