McNamara probably has some one average and out of position lined up for that spot.

Not the best second rower in super league, but definitley one of the best English second rowers, i agree that there is no one i can think that should start above him against the exiles.

Your probabley right, Sam Burgess....... however he aint a bad shout

I'll give you Hock, but Westwood doesn't offer anything that Soliola doesn't (IMO)

He's still young. He's certainly the best young backrower in SL at the moment. He's still young, and arguably out of position, as he is an out and out LF. I think over the next few years we'll see more of him playing LF.

Also, the partnership he has with Green is awesome, he seems to lay the right pass on for him 4 or 5 times a game.

People are saying hes only the best british second row in super league, what imports are ahead of him?

When Joel Tomkins turned his back on our sport for money, I said we have a better second rower and rugby player for matter in Farrell who was on a lot less money, he has certainly proved me right.

I don't know if he's better, but he'll be cheaper. I hope in a few years he emulates J.Tomkins, however Tomkins had speed to burn which is rare in back rowers.........

if i remember correctly farrell is or was faster than joel.

And goes to union?

Really? I find this hard to believe............ maybe its true................. I just re-call the Tomkins full lengther at Wembley



Well he's playing centre though isn't he? He doesn't play in the pack.........

Joel was probably the middle ground between Hock and Faz. He played on the edge like Hock in attack but had a workrate similar to Faz.

He probably didn't do the things those two do well quite to the level they do but as an alround forward he was exceptional. I don't think we'd seen the best of him either tbh but we certainly never would have done at centre.

he might be in a couple more seasons,westwood and a fit again gareth ellis is the best 2nd row pairing england should use.
if he continues his form throughout the season then he might sneak a place in the squad but the likes of hock would probably pip him to that as they have a bit of x factor.
a good player with a good work ethic but probably a season or two before he is near the finished article.

He got an early shout from Chris Irving and the others on "backchat" for MOS, along with Peacock (who is also having a great season, from the games I've seen).

And Sinfield from Danny Lockwood



That can't have been serious especially given he mentioned his Catalans performance as a highlight. Sinfield himself slated his performance and errors in the post match interview.

Sinfield plays well in 'really big' games for Leeds and as there aren't any of them in the regular season he'll never win the MOS.

You just know that Ablett and/or JJB will pop up in the squad and probably the team too.

I wouldn't pcik Westwood, Hock or Buchanan personally, I'd let the younger players have a crack at the Aussies like Farrell, Bateman, Whitehead, Hughes etc....

Whilst I am no an of JJB, I think Ablett has been very good this year so far. Leeds stand out player by some distance.

I would have no complaints with his call up and he could be pushing for a place in the 17 along with Faz.

Still think Westwood because of the intensity and aggression he brings, despite being outperformed by Faz domestically, due to his game just fitting the international game a little more at the moment, and Ellis assuming he gets fit and performs anywhere near his NRL performances will be the starting pair, but think a bench spot is up for grabs depending on where Burgess is selected to play, assuming he is fit.

Ablett, Faz and Hock all offer different qualities and that will play a part depending on the style of play McMannaman wants to run with.

He started the season really well in the back row, but has been poor really at RC. With Hardaker due back hopfully his form will return to what it was at the start of the season and his partnership with Moon and Hall on the left will improve.

Oh and Peacock has been Leeds' best player IMO.

Is Westwood injured or something as he doesn't seem to be as destructive as he has been in previous seasons.

if you asked 10 coaches to pick one player for there team out of HOCK FARRELL WESTWOOD, id put my house on at least 8 picking hock,,, farrel is what i call a safe player,, hes good dont get me wrong,,, but the aussies would eat him alive,, he as no aggresstion wot so ever,, when do you ever see him running over players... knockin them down,,, off loads.... a good safe player that runs good gaps.. as to say hes bettter than the above 2 is pure wigan glasses,... just my oppion,,,

Most of this season.

Erm, Ryan Hoffman, whilst a big guy, isn't really a bulldozer. He was never that aggressive either, just defends well, makes the hard yards and runs good lines. He also played for Australia against the kiwis at the tail end of the year!

The blood and thunder approach is all well and good, but you need your smart forwards like Farrell & Graham to compliment guys like Burgess & Hock that can rampage through defences

Ablett 5 games at centre, his winger has scored 0 tries. would benefit from passing the ball! His winger has barely even touched the ball this year. I know he isnt a centre, but if he is picked for England he will most likely play in the centres. keeping an actual centre such as Daz out of the team.

He's a left sided player primerily, both as a centre and a back rower. He was probably the best left centre in SL last season along with Carmont, and Him and Hall scored a lot tries last season. To be fair to Ablett, he's been very effective when asked to play at RC as well in the past but he's playing inside a winger who isn't good enough IMO.

He's a shoe in for the squad IMO, and will be fighting it out with Hock, Farrell, Wilkin, Whitehead and JJB for a bench spot in the world cup.