Nonsense. You all just start foaming when I post anything, even if it's not remotely controversial.

Does KPP really deserve selection over someone like Mike Mcmeekan at this current stage ?

No, on current ability, of course he wouldn't get in an England squad. He's playing centre now so perhaps in for that position anyway, but it's his potential that gets him there. He's there to benefit from being around the camp which will make his integration later on easier. The same goes for the likes of Dodd and Welsby too.

Knowles isnt as good as Whitehead,suppose as a sub he could help.

Leeming is playing well but this is early days and I am sure things will change over the next few months regarding who gets picked for the world cup.
Bateman and Farrell are also better than Knowles.

He wouldn’t walk in to St Helens team. He wouldn’t even make the match day squad. Granted he would walk into Hull kr or Wakefield’s squad but that’s about it

Contributions to this (and other threads) need to be on topic and about the post NOT the person posting.

Posts which do not comply are being removed. I genuinely hope that we don't get to the point where removal of posting rights has to be considered.

You missed a couple. Or is just the (clearly humourous) one I posted that counts? Seems a bit of an overreaction.

Thanks wanderer,did apologise for the post.

Not by me, but when you question some ones mental capabilities surely you could understand the reaction.of which I apologised in minutes.

You really are a balanced poster, aren't you? One good game? How does 108 metres and 37 tackles against Leeds or 112 metres and 36 tackles against Toulouse (in what was a very lacklustre team performance) fit into your somewhat biased scenario? Out of the 4 rounds played so far he has topped 100 metres and 30 tackles in 3 of them.

My word! Just think how good he'll be when he actually regains form.

No point in the England squad being named, international rl is pathetic.

I agree, he was bad last year but the whole team was too, class is permanent form is temporary. If he can regain his form this year I think he is one of the players the Australian based players will not want to face.

I would like to to see both Currie and Bateman in the second row for the world cup, both have started the season well and will both be trying to get the nod so hopefully will play consistently well all season. I do think they're both the best second rows England can call up. But s

No player in super league would walk into the saints team as they are not worthy and as we know 1-18 currently playing for St helens are the bestest in the league.

Just give the trophies now and play for the second spots in the relevant comps

Thanks for the kind words.

It doesn't does it? Two half decent performances against relegation candidates who can barely stand up in a strong wind let alone do anything constructive isn't going to convince me he's back to his best. If Bentley had played for Leeds, Bateman would have been crying in the corner like he was all last season. Another good opportunity to flex his muscles at the weekend against half a Catalans team though.

Interesting that you take his one poor season as the benchmark and not the many outstanding seasons he's had including his Dally M winning one. As I say; balanced poster.

I take it you'll equally be dismissing anything Knowles does until he proves himself in the NRL? As you point out, bullying 'also rans' like Wakey and Hull KR in the Superleague is hardly a marker of greatness, is it? He needs to prove himself in the elite competition like Morley, Whitehead and...erm...oh yeah, Bateman.

You can stop that now,being honest and sensible as you know Knowles is far superior than Bateman or indeed Lockers as quoted by Wilkin.

He was beyond poor last season, way beyond. I would pick the England team based on his most recent six months of playing. His start to this season would give him some credit and if he carries on all season doing the good stuff he's apparently doing, then he'll be a valid suggestion, but not on four games against relegation candidates (And Huddersfield). You can't pick him for England because he used to be good.

and yet you would be the sort of poster that would say - x cant be picked for England based on one good season.............

I would pick players that are performing now so Bateman is ok really to be picked on current form.

Yes, but he plays for Wigan and no Wigan players should ever be picked for England.

Then again, if they weren't there'd be nobody to boo so half the crowd would be moaning at that.

Totally agree,some people cannot see passed their dislike for Wigan that it pains them to say " you know what he could do a good job for England".
Pick players in form no matter who they play for,I for one would cheer the loudest if Knowles scored the winning try against Australia.
Currie,Bateman,Farrell are a good shout but lets see how the season pans out first.

Bateman would be the first name on the team sheet for me.

Bateman comes up against a decent pack for once and is completely humiliated. McMeekan is another name ahead of him for a backrow spot for England. Bateman had absolutely no impact on that game other than getting Ellis and Dezaria sent off by having a paddy because his teammate got dominated in a tackle.

Bateman has to be the most overrated back rower since o Loughlin. He’s like George Williams. Looked great in the NRL due to the players around him. Wasn’t just the Catalans pack
That humiliated him. I remember him mouthing off last season to the Wigan local press how he was going to smash the St. Helens pack and then proceeded to get absolutely mullered by Bentley

This Wigan love has to stop please