As a sport and perhaps it's the national coaches call, perhaps we should be looking at whether some of the full backs can make it as a top class HB.
Tomkins is a good example of this.
I'm sure that if he'd played more in the halves, he would be better than what we currently have.
Reads the game well, decent pass, unbelievable step and a decent kicking game.

Surely, RL in England needs to have a really good look at itself ?

It's far from straightforward as clubs will always look after themselves first but, if we keep on going down the import route for these key positions, the national side will NEVER beat the Aussies.

How would he not get much of these opportunities in the NRL? Have you ever watched Damien Cook, Harry Grant or Apisai Korisau play? He would rip it up over there. Joey Johns has said it himself. His distribution is fantastic. Seriously if you don't think Clark is good enough to get into the England team I can't help you.

In fairness, we're talking about whether he would get those running chances against Australia etc, when instead of perhaps playing behind a decent pack and his side being on top, he is left feeding on scraps.
Having said that, I think that Clark should have been our "other" hooker for ages (instead of Hodgson).

He said 'at international level there are better options', they're really isn't.

This is a huge year for Jake Connor. Brett Hodgson is one of the great full backs of the modern era, and he did that through his attitude and his attention to detail. He wasn't blindingly quick or athletic, and he didn't have the natural ability that Connor did. But his positional play and his reading of the game was exceptional. He did all of the little things right.

He's come in and given Connor the number 1 shirt and from day one he has spoken excitedly about what he could do there. It's a position that suits Connor perfectly imo, and I expect us to adopt a style of play that suits him much better too. If he gets his head down and learns what Hodgson has to teach him and combines that with the ability we already know he has then he will definitelybe in this discussion at the end of the year.

We’ve been hearing this about Connor for the past 7 years. When exactly is he going to reach this potential all the hull fans say he has? He will be retiring in a few years.

Actual quality players show if from an early age, not their late 20’s

For me:

1. S.Tomkins
2. Makinson
3. Percival
4. Gildart
5. Farnworth
6. Williams
7. Gale
8. Walmsley
9. Roby
10. T.Burgess
11. Bateman
12. Farrell
13. Thompson

14. Clark
15. Sutton
16. Whitehead
17. Watts

Reserves: Johnstone, Connor, Lomax, Hodgson, Philbin, Cooper, Currie

No Super League player is soft, but any time Wigan play a big game against Saints, Lomax tends to spend time on the floor getting treatment, then go missing. I think he's a talented player, but it takes more than that at international level. The Aussies get nasty if they sense an upset. Long and Deacon both had their faces patched back together after illegal hits against Aus/NZ. Long even stayed on and put in an outstanding performance after Mason did him, I don't think Lomax would be up for that.

Edit - totally forgot Williams!

Mike Cooper over Ryan Sutton.

I'm more worried with Rachford as first choice FB

And who the #### is Farnworth?

Along with Kotoni Staggs Herbie was the bright light in the worst ever Broncos season

Seriously?

Sutton went well in the second half of the year for the Raiders. You will have seen more of Cooper than me obviously but I'd drop Watts before Sutton if Cooper is playing that well.

I rate him to be honest, showed up pretty well at international level when given the chance IMO. Had a good year at Warrington.

He's a very good player but, while he is "good" in a number of positions and could offer great utility value in the squad, I wouldn't have him as first choice FB.

I've see you want Tomkins at full back (fair enough) but struggling to work out who you're advocating for in the halves as you don't seem to rate any of the other options.

Been our best player for the last two seasons along with Clark. Slogs his guts out every single week and gives 100%. Makes lots of metres, tackles and offloads and puts in 80 min performances. He's carried our pack these last couple of years. Outstanding front rower.

Decent reliable player Ratchford. It's a shame Jack Walker has never really kicked on. A few years ago I'd have said he'd be England's next fullback for the next 10 years.

Perhaps Walker was a little overated , but it is injuries that have really held him back !

Just realised I somehow overlooked Williams when I was chopping and changing

him and Gale in the halves, Tomkins at FB. Ratchford in reserve.

Thats kind of the point though. I agree that quality players are quality players from a young age, but they aren't the finished article until their late 20s. Connor is 26 now, he should just be moving into his peak years. He has quality, but now he needs to prove that he can do it consistently and when not everything is going his way. Radford as a coach had a terrible track record for developing players. Connor is now going to play in his best position with a coach who knows that position inside out.

Everything is there for him to play his best rugby this year. If he doesn't excel then we probably have to accept that he's a talented player who isn't quite ever going to reach the very top tier.

I think a large part of it will come down to what role does Wane want the hooker to play. Does he want an 80 minute player who can defend the whole game, does he want to use 2 hookers and have them keep the opponents on the back foot from quick dummy half play? Some players will just not suit Wane's vision for the role.

Thank you. Although I still put him above Hodgson!

If he’s fit I think Wane will select him.
Wouldn’t necessarily be my choice but he is a type of player that Wane likes.

It has to be said that ANY Leeds youngster that breaks into their squad, in any position, is always hailed as the "next big thing".
Walker does look to be a decent player but, I didn't have him in the frame for England, not yet.