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.

Lomax
McGillvary
Watkins
Sarginson
Hall

Widdop
Gale

Hill
Hodgson
Graham
Whitehead
Bateman
S Burgess

subs
Clark
T Burgess
G Burgess
Cooper

don't understand what you are agreeing less about? where on that post have I said Houghton should be in the squad or is above the 4 players you have mentioned?

I'd say that's about there. I'm not sure about Lomax but I've not seen much of him this year. A decent HB out of position & not big enough at FB is my worry. Possibly Percival for Sarginson but a bit meh.

Lomax is a much better fullback than halfback, and has been the best fullback in the comp this year IMO. His ballplaying and slight of hand should give Watkins/Percival a fair few attacking opportunities.

Good squad that. Great to see Lomax in.

Probably only decision that i didn't get was Brown.

But Wayne Bennett is one of the greatest ever RL coaches. He was a big reason NZ won the WC in 08. I think we have a better chance and team compared to NZ in 08 IMHO I trust Bennett.

if everyone plays to their ability that is a very decent team.