We don't require run of the mill NRL forwards we have more than enough quality, would be disappointed if Bennett picked any of those 3.

I'm sure William Eve will be along shortly to slap me down and claim any NRL player is above any Super Dooper league player and should be playing if they stick their hand up

David Gower, we were gonna sign him a couple of seasons ago. Personally don't have a problem with Aussies with an English parent being up for selection as long as they haven't played for another Country. Saying that don't think we need him tbh.

Denis betts on 5 live this afternoon said no Aussie born players have been included

SSN reporting that Ratchford and Sarginson have made the squad. Not sure how accurate that is or if it's just guesswork.

I'd have potentially included one of them for their utility value but not both.

Sarginson could play centre. I thought he was very good there for England in the 2014 four nations. Not sure i see where Ratchford fits in though, especially if Hardaker is in the squad who can cover the three quarters. All will be revealed shortly i suppose.

A few papers are reporting the same.


I hope Betts' reported comment proves to be true. I don't have a problem with picking Australians with an English parent but if we do they need to be better than what we've got, the three mentioned in the article IMO are not.

I wouldn't be surprised if we see Ratchford get the starting fullback spot.

England squad for France Test and Ladbrokes Four Nations (Professional and community club shown):

John Bateman (Wigan Warriors, Bradford Dudley Hill)

Kevin Brown (Widnes Vikings, Thatto Heath Crusaders)

George Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs, Dewsbury Moor)

Sam Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs, Dewsbury Moor)

Thomas Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs, Dewsbury Moor)

Daryl Clark (Warrington Wolves, Fryston Warriors)

Mike Cooper (Warrington Wolves/St George-Illwarra Dragons, Latchford Albion)

Liam Farrell (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks)

Brett Ferres (Leeds Rhinos, Smawthorne Panthers)

Luke Gale (Castleford Tigers, Middleton Marauders)

James Graham (Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs, Blackbrook)

Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos, Oulton Raiders)

Chris Hill (Warrington Wolves, New Spring Lions)

Josh Hodgson (Canberra Raiders, East Hull)

Jonny Lomax (St Helens, Orrell St James)

Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield Giants, Deighton Juniors)

Mark Percival (St Helens, Farnworth Rockets)

Stefan Ratchford (Warrington Wolves, Wigan St Patricks)

Dan Sarginson (Wigan Warriors/Gold Coast Titans, Hemel Stags)

Scott Taylor (Hull FC, Skirlaugh)

Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos, Latchford Albion)

Elliot Whitehead (Canberra Raiders, West Bowling)

Gareth Widdop (St George Illawarra Dragons, King Cross)

George Williams (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks)

Does anyone know the rules as to whether we can call up squad replacements if injuries occur? We only have 2 wingers in that squad.

Ratchford and Sarginson as wing cover i reckon.

Has Cudjoe been deselected? Surprised at no Danny Houghton, for me I'd have had him over one of Sarg/Ratchord.

Ah, I've reread the initial 10 man selection, Cudjoe, Ward, Hardaker and Briscoe didn't make the cut...

I agree on Houghton best number nine in super league all year & total insult to man of steel. Him & Hodgson the best hookers in their competitions.

Brown and Ferres. Christ.

The thing is, Hodgson is the better hooker and I think Clark compliments his game better than Houghton would (an 80 minute player)

No, No their not.

No faux outrage from me with that squad. Slight surprise at Sarginson who has been average this season but there s not a great deal that stands out at centre/FB.

Joe Burgess seems unlucky (if he isn't injured). His move to South Sydney coincided with some very good form. That coupled with Hall and McGilvary not showing much this year makes it very strange that he isn't selected. If half a seasons poor form (in a team which he was in and out of and not being given a fair shot) is enough to keep you out, then Hall & McGilvary have no right to be selected.

Not sure that Ferres deserves to be in either.

Happy Lomax is in. Glad he is selected above Shaul, much better player and offers more. Hope he starts at FB.

Still no-one i really trust to play in the centres. Prop is looking a tough call for who plays. G.Burgess, Hill, Taylor and Graham I would have thought. S.Burgess at 13.

houghton is a victim of the system England will play. he's an 80 minute man, whereas england will obviously use 2 hookers as they did last time with hodgson starting and clarke spelling him, probably either side of HT.

AS an FC fan from a selfish point of view this is good news. our players are shattered mentally and physically and need a break and can thus emerge fresh for a full pre season

Valid point but with only a 24 man squad if we lost Hodgson we need an 80 minute player, Josh can also cover loose very well.

No real complaints with that squad.

Personally I couldn't agree less. Houghton is a good player, but when everyone is fit and firing he would be at least 5th on the list.

I would have all these above him(in no particular order):
Hodgson
Roby
Clark
McIllorum.


Roby is similar to Houghton in that he is a workhorse, but has much better attacking instincts than him.
Look at how out of shape Wigan were in attack without McIllorum this year. The last couple of years it has been abundantly clear how much the attack fell off in games in which he was spelled with another hooker. His defence is also monstrous. Houghton makes a lot of tackles, but rarely the type of tackles that make a player think about taking a hit up again.
And the two guts in the squad speak for themselves.

As I say, very good player that would improve most super league sides, but not quite the same level as the others.

Didn't I read Houghton is in the Scotland squad?

He's been linked but hasnt confirmed anything. As a Hull fan id like him to have a long rest after a knackering season, but I can see why he'd take up Scotlands offer, its his best chance of facing Aus and NZ, and as we know playing for them isnt a barrier to getting an England call up another year.

I guess Ferres has been included due to his good form for England ever since the WC. I don't think he would have been included were Currie and Ward fit.