Never knew that, thanks.

So Clark will probably get a shot at 9.TBH i did wonder why Hodgson got selected.

Happy with that.

Looking forward to seeing how these new players go.

Nope. But that's never stopped mc banana before

I think Roby has been playing with strapping on his ankle for most of the season, so I,m wondering if its this injury needs to be fixed. Hodgson is a good choice clever tactical player might go better than Clark, we will have to wait and see.

Would have had Ablett or Bateman ahead of J Tomkins, other than that, can't complain.

Yep, that's the only potential change I'd make, but it's not a massive issue. Pretty good team in my opinion. Shame Roby's not available and Westwood being out, whilst he's quality, gives a chance for the likes of Whitehead.

From that squad I'd go:

1. Hardaker
2. Charnley
3. Watkins
4. Shenton
5. Hall
6. Tomkins
7. Widdop
8. Graham
9. Clark
10. Hill
11. Ferres
12. Whitehead
13. O'Loughlin

14. Hodgson
15. Burgess, G
16. Cooper
17. Farrell

Agree with this other than maybe Tom Burgess for Cooper. Can't say I've seen much of either but Tom was pretty good off the bench today.

Not sure Farrell would offer anything off the bench either. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ratchford or Westerman.

That is pretty much the way i would go Him.its a shame we don't have a hooker capable of doing the 80 because i would like to see either Hardaker or Ratchford on the bench.both potential game changers and both would allow Sam to step up to half back if things were not working.

Nobody missing who really shouldn't be. Also agree with Him's starting 13 but would change the bench, Tom Burgess has to be in there.

I'd have found a place for Atkins personally but no major grumbles from me

Is Carl Ablett injured? He has had another good season, should be in over Joel Tomkins.

Am I actually seeing an England squad with no representatives from the winners of the LLS & a Grand Finalist?

Ridiculous that Joel and Sarginson are in. My team would be:
Tomkins
Charnley
Watkins
Shenton
Hall
Widdop
Smith
Hill
Clark
Graham
Whitehead
O'Loughlin
Westerman

Ratchford
G. Burgess
Ferres
T. Burgess

Saints only have 3 players in contention imo.

Roby - Injured
Makinson - 50/50 between him & J Burgess.
Walmsley - Could have made it over Cooper, but prop is one of our strongest positions overall.

It is abit early for Joel IMO as he hasn't really impressed enough to deserve a spot although he hasn't looked out of place and has added abit of extra size to the Wigan pack. Next year he'll be a nailed on starter in the SR so McNamara is only bringing him into the fold a little earlier than expected.

S.Tomkins
Hall
Watkins
Hardaker
Charnley
Widdop
Smith
Graham
Hodgson
G Burgess
Farrell
Tomkins
O'Loughlin

Clarke
Hill
T Burgess
Whitehead

I've gone for Whitehead on the bench as I think he'd offer more impact than Farrell or Tomkins plus Ferres has been poor for quite a while according to Huddersfield fans.

so Joel Tomkins hasnt deserved his spot but you'd start him in the second row anyway? lol

Is Widdop actually going to be given a starting spot this time? Or are we going to make the mistake of not doing that again?

Will be good to see what Josh Hodgson does with his opportunity, bit of a bolter considering the talk was all about Clark and the two injured hookers.

Hoping Ratchford gets some game time, he's a real talent all over the pitch and could probably even be an option at dummy half if McNamara wants to run with one hooker.

Is Widdop a decent goal kicker? Because if not there doesn't seem to be a good on there, well not one who is expected to be first choice.

Widdop has kicked for the Dragons this year.

tom briscoe has paid the price for a mediocre season and has been overtaken now by makinson and burgess (we are very strong in this area). challenge is laid down to him for next season improvements (possibly has made a few high profile errors this year which have gone against him. when he was at FC great try scorer and ball returner that he was, he always had an error in him in defence which cost points more often than not).

like the look of the squad but it does look a little light at centre (nothing new there though)

J Tomkins over Ablett????????, was a guaranteed England spot a part of the deal to get him back from Union?

how the hell is joel tomkins in the squad? what has he done ( apart from play for wigan obviously) that others haven't?

not sure about joe burgess or sarginson either, they are undoubtedly good players but one season playing for wigan and they are internationals?

it's no wonder not many people take international rugby league seriously.

Hodgson is a crazy one even with Roby and Mike Mac out. I would have thought Houghton and Lunt were both a distance ahead. Even Higham will be disappointed to miss out.

Yes because IMO we can't go with a pair from Whitehead, Farrell and Ferres. They would be too small and dominated by the back rows of NZ and Aus.

A couple of years ago I thought we was looking strong at SR with S Burgess, Ellis, Westwood and a young J Tomkins before he moved to Union. Since then we have brought through some talented SR's but they all seem to be on the small side.