can you honestly say that richards deserved MOM , as much as i dislike o`loughlin him and andy coley were immense for you lot on saturday

What a suprise that it's the Wigan fans who are "mocking" Mathers, it's time to change the record, whilst we have a Saint know-it-all who has just exposed his knowledge, or to be correct his lack of knowledge, of the the NRL to us.

I agree with Rob that the inclusion of Widdop in the squad is an absolute joke. Two first grade games all season in the NRL and we wonder why the Aussies give international rugby league any respect. Whether Mathers should be picked or not I'm not sure. I can't think of a full-back in Super League qualified for England who is currently playing better. However given a choice I'd have played Eastmond there but now he's injured I think Leon Pryce may be the best option.

I again agree with Rob that Mathers was outstanding against Bradford and played a major role in getting us through.

I think the 'from what I've read', bit excludes me from that, as I clearly wasn't claiming any knowledge of it.



How do you know he's not been known about my McNamara for a while? He is a very lively player, certainly already a better bet than what we have available. He 'could' be outstanding for all we know. Why not pick him?

so why do you consider yourself qualified to make the statement:



Do you really consider somebody who has played 2 first grade games a better option than a player who has been a regular, putting in a number of good performances, in a team running second in Super League and as good as in the Challenge Cup final which the same player scored the opening try in last season's final on the way to lifting the trophy?



How do you know he "is a very lively player"? You have never ever seen him.

If, as some people seem to be putting about, England wanted to make sure he remained available for England rather than Australia then I suggest they should have picked Rhys Evans, after-all he's only 2 first team games behind Widdop.

Quick put Sky Sports 4 on now as the NRL review is on, you can see Widdop playing full-back; according to yourself that is. I bet he looks like a Billy Slater clone to the casual viewer.

That was my main point, out of all the english qualified full backs i can`t think of anyone thats in better form than Richie Mathers.

Ok he isn`t Billy Slater and never will be, its about picking an England team based on form and he`s the in form english full back.

I`m not sure why people brought up Pat Richards on an England squad based thread as we all know he`s irish through and through, anyway he`d never consider playing for another country outisde of the one that he grew up in across the oirish sea.

to be fair give widdop a chance i know it a brave decision to play him after only two games but from what other people to be sayin he the real deal even thou they have only at under 20 level. if he puts in a MOM performance against france i bet ya you will change your tune then

As much as i like Mathers, the answer to Englands on going full back search is long-term, therefore why not give Widdop a chance the lad is only 21.

He can't be that bad to play under Bellamy and Storm.

I think the inclusion of Widdop is a good decision by McNamara and could prove alot of people wrong.

Seen him many times doing cracking try saving tackles, usually one on one.

Totally unfair - surely you're not questioning Mathers' motivation at any stage since he joined the club? That he's been able to turn a negative into a positive is all credit to him.

This is probably a bit of a trial for him before he signs for Bradford next year!

Absolutely agree. I think he has been a very good signing for us and not just the last few weeks. He made a few mistakes, but nobody makes more than the likes of Hodgson tbh.

As for Saddened, your contribution here is pathetic. Mathers has played more NRL games than Widdop.

What's that got to do with McNamara?

Or Martin Gleeson trying bo tackle Lee Smith last weekend just before Smith scored? That was laughable too! Gleeson never seems to have any trouble getting picked for england or GB though!

Lets be honest though, after widdop's preformance last weekend. He'd get in over mathers every single day of the week, and i couldnt care less if he doesnt get into first grade footy, because he's being kept out by a certain billy slater, who is the best fullback in the world and possibly the best player, but the fact that craig bellamy has moved him to stand off, and centre two pivotal positions, surely means he rates him as a player?

Do you think mathers is international class? seriously?

Thats not the point, its about rewarding performances and picking players based on form from the available english qualified full backs. Nobody is saying that Mathers is the future, its about sending the right message out to the english players that good form will be rewarded.

Name me an english qualified full back thats in better form than Richie Mathers at the moment ?

By all means include Gareth Widdop so he can experience the international set up, then possibly play him from the bench as a utility back so McNamara can have a look at him, Widdop can play a few positions.

I just found it a bit ironic that Mathers put in one of the best full back displays of the season from a SL player against Bradford and it was right under the nose of the england coach yet he doesn`t even make the squad, its not like we are over run with in form full backs in SL.

It wasn`t just a one off good performance from Mathers against Bradford, he`s been in good form for a month.

BTW, this is coming from someone who has criticised Mathers in the past. At least i`m not a blinkered fan where Mathers is concerned unlike some Wigan fans who prefer to try and hang on to the belief that they got the better deal with Gleeson lol. At least i can recognise good performances from players ive criticised in the past where as certain Wigan fans probably have a tub of vaseline on their armchairs when Warrington are on sky in the hope that Mathers will make a mistake so they can whack a good one out.

A*

Superb.

Careful with the vaseline. You don't want to get it all over your mother's settee.

[size=150Stuart Fielden.

Martin Gleeson sending Wigan out of the CC.[/size




Sorry couldn't resist.

How about that cracking one on one tackle against Kingy at the HJ a few years back



Seriously though Mathers is a decent fullback prone to the occasional brain fart, its picked up on alot because its an awful position to play in if you do something silly. Hes not international quality but neither are any other English players at FB

Well, is it about the " in-form" player? This isnt club rugby league, its international. You dont want a player, that has been in form for the last month, but spent the last 2 years dossing about, doing absolutely nothing in the game!?.

The games against france? a chance for widdop to be tested?

I just want to point out, that if he's been inform for a month!? he's had 4 decent games. You cant make an international career from 4 games it doesnt work. As i said before he spent the last two years dossing around?

If your seriously suggesting him, worthy of a place in the england squad? why the hell are you replacing him?!

is that because he's not good enough?

Yet another vaseline waster from Wigan.

Does Widdop's form over the last two years warrant selection or is it based upon his two games for the first team?

The problem is that as a nation we do not have an international quality full back. So we don't have much choice but to go off recent form, Mathers is the in form English full back in the SL for my money. Another quality game last night too by the way.

I don't mind Widdop being picked, I know nothing about him and maybe he'll be first choice for years to come, no problem with that. But to suggest that right at this very minute he has a bigger claim to the number one shirt that Mathers is laughable.

He was awesome last night. MOM.

Apart from winning challenge cups.