Don't know about how he compares to when at Wakefield, but he's improved a lot during his time at Warrington and is currently playing better than in his first season at Warrington last year.

That’s an interesting list and I remember watching them all play regularly

I would put Newlove into my all time GB 13 – an absolutely fantastic player. Schofield similarly was a great player and would complement any current team

What I am not sure about is Lydon and Connoly – both were athletic players but did they have the skills and talent to be something special. It can never be proven but I think both benefited from being essentially full time in a part time league. Put Shenton (fast with sound skills) in the Wigan team of the late 80’s early 90’s and would we be saying the same thing about him?

Gary Connolly was no legendary player I don't think. I remember the arguments about him having no attack and only being able to defend when he was selected for internationals.

Connolly only scored 1 try in 30 odd games for GB didn't he? Great defender but zero attacking ability at the highest level. I can't say I remember being that good for GB really. Always seemed like he couldn't be d.

Exactly what the England team needs this you are right.

I would rather show off the athletes we have. Show how tough this game really is.

Jamie Foster is not even the best young English winger at St Helens IMO.

The likes of Shenton and Atkins are IMO not in the same league as Connolly and Lydon.

I agree though about Newlove,probably GB/England's best centre over the last 20/30 years.

Sorry I forgot to say that Shenton and Atkins are probably in the same mould as the likes of Darren Wright and Andy Currier,really good club players but not good enough at International level IMO.

I watched Joe Lydon play a lot of rugby and I can't think of a single attribute that Shenton doesn't have. If Lydon was playing today I genuinely think he would be an average player. Connolly was physically stronger but again not a stand out player for me and would be good to average in today’s Super League

Lydon was bloody quick when he was young (Wembley 84 springs to mind). IMO Schofield in his late teens/early twenties was better than Newlove in the centres. Have a look at the tries he scored for GB in 1984 if you want proof - creating and supporting work of the highest order (two of his tries that series would be amongst the best you'll ever see). People remember him more as a stand off nowadays but when he had pace he was a genuine world class centre.

Its a shame Jack Reed seems likely to commit to Queensland (and therefore Australia). Long-term one of our younger players may end up being better (Reed looks like the sort of player who'll end up in the forwards as well), but right now he's a solid player and a far better all-round centre than anyone mentioned on this thread.

I hope our kids kick on. Atkins to me seems like a classic SL player - reached a level and makes hay in SL, but with obvious flaws in his game that ought to be ironed out but won't be because there's no pressure on him to get any better. Sadly I suspect most of the prospects being touted on here will end up the same.

I genuinley laughed at this post

We should make Nick Fozzard the face of RL

Atkins still needs improvement, no doubt, but he is now coming under increasing pressure at Wire if he wants to stay at centre. Kallum Watkins looks promising but was murdered by Rhys Evans when they faced up at the HJ. Evans too inexperienced right now ( plus he's injured ) but looks a long-term bet for England centre. Atkins is still a better attacking option than Shenton who is excellent defensively but contributes little in attack.

I think im right in saying that Evans has declared for Wales

Latest from Rhys was that he had declared for England (played England Under 18s last year). He has lived in England since moving aged 14 and learnt most of his rugby league at school in Warrington and with the Burtonwood club (in addition to the Warrington Wolves junior teams) but I think the main reason for declaring for England was the greater opportunities to play at the highest level.

Other way round.

You can't have watched him play much or you wouldn't be making these comments. Lydon was a complete one off and miles better than any British centre playing the game today or even in the past 10 years. The Aussies called him just enough Joe, he never seemed to put himself out yet could turn a game on a sixpence.

I was a season ticket holder at Central Park from 1986 to the late 90’s... is that enough?

I stand by my point. Joe Lydon was a good player, he was quick and elusive but that is the norm for a modern day Rugby league player. Unlike the likes of Schofield and Hanley, I don’t think there is anything about Lydon that would make him excel in today’s Super league where the level of conditioning and athleticism is far higher and defences more organised than when he was playing

You have a different opinion and of course you are entitled to it

Oh, and p.s. if the Aussies did call him ‘just enough Joe’ then maybe he should have done a bit more and we would have won a few more games!

For me, Atkins has been the most impressive English centre I've seen this season. However, his passing is quite poor and he probably has the best job in SL down Warrington's left channel. Still, if we're picking up form, I'd rather see him in there rather than Shenton or Bridge.

Would have Yeaman or Lawrence above Atkins for the left centre spot.

I respect your opinion but imo, Lydon was far better on his worst day, than Shenton is on his best. As regards him showing touches of brilliance that would lead you to think he'd make it in todays game, 60 mtr drop kick against Warrington , try he scored against the Aussies, trys he scored against us at Wembley, his tactics against Manley, the list goes on. Peter Sterling picked him in his dream team around 1991 or so.

Hall's up there with the best wingers in SL, but I don't think that's much of a claim at the moment, none of them would be likely to get a run for the Ausies or Kiwis if they were eligible. I do think Tom Briscoe has something about him, could be something there, but I'm not convinced about his pace, maybe he'll mature into a top class centre?

Interesting to get the chance to compare Atkins to one of the other inform English left centres in Kirk Yeamen in the Hull vs Warrington last weekend.

He's been mighty impressive when I've seen him this year, but you know fromm seeing him in the past that when we're under the cosh and he's defending against and Aus or NZ attack that it won't be long until they make a real Ass of him.

Take him. He's played a bit of 13 for wire. He could make a real impact coming off the bench in that role. His all round athletisism is a rare treat in british players and his form this year deserves some sort of recognition.

Shenton has missed 27 tackles this season compared to atkins 10

carmont has missed 25 and yeaman has missed 20

so much for the atkins dodgy defence myth.

Shenton appears to be the opposite of Atkins in defence. Positionally good and hard to get around, but flaps with his arms too often in contact, hence the high missed count.