no point wasting them in a team managed by FatNamara either, the Club game is more important than the current farce that is international RL.

id describe lineham as raw but think its an insult to crooks who is already a refined imo. already a far better player then yeamo

im quite happy for them to be completely over looked for now. there development is going better than anyone could have wished for and id hate for anything to shift their focus away from continuing as there are for club

england knights for me,

It's not an insult to call Crooks raw, it's only a year since his debut. He looks the real deal but he's still learning and increasing his experience.

Sooner they concentrate on FC and are never picked for England/Knights/GB or whatever they are now...wont improve them being smashed by the Aussies.

we can agree on that

Pains me to say it as have done the internationals and used to enjoy going but when you have a numptylike Mcbannana in charge and then the RFL give us a crap game after we sold out the KC v the Kiwis well im sorry but they can shove it.

Playing against better opposition won't improve them? That's new to me.

This year may be too soon, but I certainly hope they get picked in the future. Playing against the best in the world is what helps make you become the best in the world.

To beat the man (wooooh!) you've gotta beat the man, as the saying goes.

Both still got loads to learn before they are anywhere near the Senior international set up but like many have said (and not just Hull fans ) , Both should be knocking on the door of the Knight squad soon.

The Knights squad for both is the natural progression.

Full International level can be very harsh on a young player both Crooks and Lineham are still developing this year and do not need to be over exposed this early in their careers.

I would love to know where McNamara places Danny Houghton in his hooking role options though.

Hey guys, saw last nights game, and gotta say Lineham looks like he could handle the physicality of international RL. Great player, and outside the right centre he could do one of heck of a job. The trouble is, the only centre in SL with a decent amount of international experience is Martin Gleeson, and even if he was good enough anymore, I highly doubt McNamara would pick him. Don't get me wrong, Watkins is a great talent, but he hasn't played enough international RL to guide a raw talent around the park. That said, he's one of the top five wingers in SL, so I'd take him and maybe play him alongside a more defensive player like Reed.

Suddenly a back line of Lineham, Reed, Watkins and Hall looks very exciting, possibly the best since Robinson, Newlove, Connolly and Offiah.

Also, Crooks looks very gifted, but he may need time to develop physically.

The key positions where England are lacking IMO is half back and centre. Had we had a Gary Connolly type centre then Lineham may well have been the gun call up on the wing.

As things stand a Watkins/Lineham wing centre partnership would seem too raw for the world cup but maybe a huge gamble worth paying????

Over to you Mr McNamara - either way you will be called wrong

Possibly but not for the Exiles game, we need 'em!!

Continue in current form and both could be dark horses for world cup selection, especially if any of the current "shoe in's" cop an injury

My head tells me that it is to early for Lineham but then I think that the only chance we have against Australia is to throw a couple of bolters into our backline to take them by surprise. Our pack will match theirs I have no doubt.
Crooks needs another year or so to develop in what is a more physically and mentally challenging position. Will undoubtedly be a knight though and a full international in the future.

Thats the call isnt it? The safe option will win us nothing but to gamble on a youngster may well be the a worthwhile one.

Agree that Crooks is at least a year off and Lineham could be that gamble.

Currently the two hottest properties in SL?

They're certainly a very exciting pair who look like they're enjoying their time at the club and aren't a pair of prima donnas.

Tom needs to develop a bit of taste though and get off the Special Brew.

I wouldn't swap them for anyone in SL but this year is too early for me.

These 2 are future legends... Very good young players that we have to hold down to long deals; out shining Yeamo and Briscoe at the present time.

Long contracts a must for these two definately England material in the future but even PG said in his interview on friday night that they're doing well but make mistakes which they'll learn from so at the mo too early for international call up methinks. Another season or so under PG's tuition and we'll have a world class pairing out on the right !!

Really stepped up and played well thanks to injuries to Arundel and Crookes. Judging on their form you wouldn't think Lineham and Crooks are our back up centre and wingers. The thing is about an England call up is that the squad has never been picked on form since GB back in early 2000's. players such as Sinfield, Peacock, Wilkin and others will all feature because of their name. I can pick several players that have been far better this year.

Fatnamara picks who Hetherington tells him to, it's been clear since his appointment.

Peacock's retired but I reckon he's still not far away from being England quality anyway, Sinfield is captain and plays 6 for the Champions, there aren't many (if any) better, even if he isn't in great form, and Wilkin won't play unless there are a few injuries.

People have this idea of McNamara but he hasn't done a lot wrong as England coach in the past 2 years or so, and is doing a much better job than Noble and Tony Smith did IMO.

England Knights. Future internationals for sure.