You possibly haven't been paying attention then. McGillvary always plays well against us. But the fact is he doesn't play for a particularly good team, so consequently his chances of catching the eye are limited.

But fair play to him, he has stuck with the Giants and if it is true that he is putting his own son's career ahead of his own then fair play to him on that too. I think he might live to regret that though. The chances of a youngster making it in football from City's system are remote whereas he would probably be a success in the NRL.

He's not wrong, people just throw the term 'World Class' around when what they mean is 'Very good player', it becomes meaningless. I'd say maybe the top 3 in the world in a position. Your definition is far too broad. Rhys Evans is competing at the highest level, world class he is not.

Not any more he’s not!

I agree that maybe 2 or 3 in any position is pretty much a fair representation of what could be deemed world class, although even this isn't set in stone. I've known times when there's been more than that in any given position but as an approximate 'rule of thumb' I think it works ok.

You misunderstood what I meant by operating at the highest level if you think I would include Rhys Evans in that! He's never even operated at the highest Superleague level never mind above that! The highest level (as intended in my post) is the best of the international or SOO. Nothing else comes close to that description.

back on topic if I may (???!!!) but if the likes of Bateman and Gells are rumoured to be off then I have to once again push on with the my belief we need to be signing up someone like Ben Currie.

BC could fit in at centre, SR or Loose - coincidentally the preferred positions of the (potentially) departing players. when he came on for lockers in the ENG v AUS game on Saturday I just sat there thinking, wowsers... what if...

i'd be gutted if we lost Bateman to be honest, plus surely if we lost Gells we have one recognised Centre in the whole first team squad?!

Parramatta so i've heard

Forsyth would mean 2. But whether he is first choice standard is another thing.

if the club is willing to offload the likes of two of our better players, especially at good ages with improvement still in them, while not bringing in anyone you have to start to question what IL and the club is doing...

in my opinion, I don't think Bateman or gells will go, at least not for 2018 anyway. but id practically demand replacements with immediate effect.

Bateman is destined for the NRL and we’ve known that for a long time. He’s a player firmly sitting at the world class table and would go very well in the NRL.

I don’t think this should come as a huge surprise, disappointing yes but I wouldn’t begrudge him going to the NRL. He’s been of fantastic service to Wigan and I’d wish him all the best

World class? Really?

He performs well in super league, but I think he lacks a bit of size/skill to shine in the NRL.

But would be interesting to see how we would perform in a far stronger league.

Can I have a pint of that please, ok yes but not world class. If he ever learns to pass a ball then maybe.

Hopefully Bennett will keep picking him at centre because he's nowhere near good enough in that position to get a game in the NRL.

hes not the best second row or centre in the england team.

I don’t think there’s a better or more effective second rower than Bateman in the English squad, particularly in defence. Currie is a cracking player but I prefer Bateman at the moment. I’ve not been impressed by Whitehead at all so far.

If Whitehead and Hodgson are NRL stars then Bateman should rip it to pieces!

Both are decidedly average in an England shirt. In attack Whitehead isn't bringing anything. I've yet to see him punch a hole in a team in this World Cup. He's been solid defensively but I'd expect more from a supposed star of the NRL.

Not sure if you watch the NRL but I think it isn’t a coincidence that both play for Canberra who play a very expansive off the cuff style.

It isn’t a particularly successful style for the NRL but it is great to watch and both the English lads are great in that system.

England play like Wigan slow methodical uninspiring stuff. You are never going to see the best in these quality players in that system.

As for Bateman, great SL player. Would be totally out of his depth in the NRL due to his physical limitations.

Can’t blame him for having NRL aspirations however I don’t think they would be long lived and he would soon be back.

I do find it quite interesting all the comments regarding Bateman's lack of size. At my former amateur club he was a year older than me, however he played in the age above due to a lack of team at his own age. Was the best player in that team at 16 years old. And anyone knows the difference in physicality between 16 and 18 year olds is huge.

The point I am trying to make is that he has always punched above his weight. All through his career. He will do so in the NRL too. Whitehead isn't that big. Yet has is a big success over there. Bateman will hold his own and be one of the best back rowers in the NRL. He's also a very hard man too, so he'll back himself when things get tough which it inevitably will.

The only thing that will possibly stop him from making the move (and it has already) is whether he'll move with his little girl and the situation around that.

Bateman would be a massive success in the NRL, He makes up for his lack of actual size with how hard he works. He will be an absolute superstar over there and if he does go I wish him all the luck in the world, never gave anything less than 100% for us

Whitehead has taken on and done well in the NRL, Bateman hasnt played in the second row in the comp , hes been the 2nd best centre for England for me.

Centre is now our worst position from an England point of view. Watkins goes hot and cold in Superleague but has never lit up an international. Percival is very good at SL level but is overlooked for a 2nd rower at international level.
My point about Bateman is that in my opinion, there isn’t a better English 2nd row than him in the squad (discounting Burgess) and if he were to be picked there, he’d go very well. Whitehead has indeed been successful in the NRL but like Watkins hasn’t shone in an England shirt so far.

jon is right, Whitehead and Hodgson are terrific for Canberra, so to say that they are are ordinary at international level is a bit unfair. It clearly comes down to the difference in coaching and tactics.

If England were half as good a watch as the Raiders...

Apart from wing, with only two selected

and one at risk of suspension.