First time posting.

I have long got used to trin not being fashionable.

But how can Bennett justify not taking Tom Johnstone to Denver?

He's not back to form yet.

I'd ask why Reece Lyn isn't going - one of the best English centres around at the moment, and getting better every game. I'd play him at centre over Bateman all day.

I don't think either of our guys can grumble. Neither showing the form that got them the original selection and others, such as Makinson, have grasped the opportunity.

Sorry but Lyne is currently playing better than he ever has.

Fair enough but, would you seriously put him at International level in front of Gildart, Percival, Bateman or Connor for example.
Also: Lyne was actually in the tier below from which I think only Jake Connor has been promoted..

I don't think Lyne is a better option than Connor or Percival, though apparently Makinson will start at centre which seems odd. How do you think Lyne went on Sunday? Looked like he was treading water for the Lineham try, was amazed at how easily he was outpaced as I'm sure he used to be one of the quickest players in the squad. Also the overlap for the Kevin Brown try came from Lyne staying down after the previous tackle and leaving only one marker. Obviously can't help if he was injured but looked like he just wanted a breather.

Plus I thought he could have had a try, maybe two if he'd backed himself near the line, particularly the one where he ended up in touch in goal.

Think he might benefit from a rest when Arundel is fit.

I never said he was did I

I said Lyne was playing the best I’ve seen him play - that’s a completely different issue!

I wouldn’t pick Lyne for GB but he’s still playing well - not sure what game you were watching on Sunday but it was different to mine.

I'd say Ashurst is the most unlucky to miss out.

Based on Last seasons form, Johnstone would/should be on the plane to Denver.
However, since his injury, although his finishing is excellent, he does seem to have lost some of his pace (or confidence) and right now, I would have both Charnley and Lineham in front of him (plus Hall and Mcgillvery).
The one thing in his favour though is time and if he can get back to where he was 12 months ago, he will definitely get his chance.

Quite easily I would have thought; I'd be a founder member of the TJ fan club if such a thing existed, but he was out for a long time with a nasty injury, and is not yet firing on all cylinders - so right now, there are better options.

He has time on his side however, and I have no doubt that he'll feature in future international games - particularly once Bennett has moved on.

I am biased towards out players and I wouldn't pick any on current form for England.

Ashurst is competing with Bateman, Whirehead and Sam Burgess for the second row, given SOL is 13. For me he is good but doesn't get in yet.

Conner, Percival and even Lomax have shot at centre. Each far more creative than Lyne.

TJ is uncountable an England prospect at his best but Makinson has stolen his chance this time with good form.

I'm really pleased with how each of our guys are going but I don't think they are being treated unfairly.

You like your stats Poptart, what do you make of this?

Makinson has been playing on the wing for Saints and has scored 6 tries with 7 assists, Tommy has scored 11 tries with 0 try assists. Who's the inform winger?

Other England selections - Ryan Hall 8 tries with 1 assist and Jermaine McGillvary 4 tries with 0 assists.

Personally I would be taking the guys who's bagging meat pies week in week out.

So stats wise, Makinson has been involved with 13 tries, TJ has been involved with 11, who has the best stats there?

Definition of a rugby league winger...

"They are generally among the fastest players in a team, with the speed to exploit space that is created for them and finish an attacking move."

Who's finished the most tries?

If Makinson is going to be played at Centre then whey do we take Hall and McGillvary who even together have only scored 1 more try than Johnstone?

Macgillivray I think purely on his last Seasons form. He’s been quiet all year I think and not broke many pots. Hall is one of those big game players in my opinion that can raise his game for an England performance. Eventually though the younger next generation wingers Johnstone, charnley amongst them will get the chance soon enough. I think TJ and charnley would have been the better option to see how they perform on a big stage and see if they’re capable of raising their game for the international scene. But I’ve a feeling bennet is all about results to justify his position than building a future England team.



Players like charnley and Johnstone their time will come eventually. They just need to keep putting their hands up with good performances.

Speed or not Makinson has been involved with 13 tries and TJ 11. Carney at Cas was sensational, not the fastest by any stretch of the imagination, different wingers have different attributes.

TJ is till trying to find his form, I honestly don't think he's done enough this season, so far, to deserve a call up. I am in no doubt that he will eventually.

At the end of the day he is only about 6 months from returning from a big injury. He is progressing well and there’s definitely more to come from Johnstone. I’m expecting as the season goes on we will see him hit some good form. That’s not to say he’s been out of form as he’s been good and done his job well season to date. Class is permenant and he has it as we’ve all seen it.

He's come back into the team after a shocking injury for a sportsman and he's done surprisingly well. I think we'll see the best of TJ next season myself.

The best thing we can do to help TJ is get him to some big games on tv in the 8s that will allow him to show his skills.
Everyone knew that Richardson was a good player but people take notice when he drops a goal to win a big game because it shows his ability to handle pressure and expectation that playing for England requires.
I think that is one of the things that has kept Percival out as he has been brilliant but made some poor decisions in big games.

I agree that Charnley and Johnstone would be better than Hall & McGilvray. About 90% of Hall's tries seem to be finishes within the last 10metres. How often do you see long range tries from him. He's not the speediest of wingers. McGilvray "came of age " in the World Cup and didn't seem to be quite as effective up to his absence

As per the title of this thread, I don't think you'll see any of our players receive international honours whilst they're wearing the Trinity jersey, unfortunately.

Tom's time will come when he gets some better service. If he was at a club like saints he'd have scored a bucketful more tries and he'd be going on the plane.

Spot on mate...the difference with Tom this season is that he is not getting the ball in space like he did last year...he spends most of his time running it back in from an opposition kick down field, or just getting the ball a few metres out from the opposition line and then finishing it off (in style, I must admit) in the corner.
We don't seem to be able to get the ball out to him in space, so that he can score the long-distance classy tries that he was scoring for fun last year - not his fault, but he is not being given the opportunities to showcase his undoubted talents, so is not grabbing the headlines that we all know he is capable of.

Without wishing to putting the cat amongst the pigeons the Form player for me so far this season isn’t tom or Reece its woody.
Tom’s a young lad and he’ll get a crack at an England or GB call up sooner or later .
Reece is a cracking club player but lacks that X factor to make him stand out from the crowd and fullfil his early career potential.
Poor woody is playing out of his skin week in week out but will no doubt just be seen as a great club player.
Just my opinion of course .