Always good to have some players playing in this tournament, to keep the interest going.

Minichiello in the Italy Squad
Miloudi in the France Squad
Faraimo in the USA Squad

Expecting Taylor to be picked by England and Manu for Tonga too, so decent representation

Faraimo in the USA squad or aren’t they in the RLWC?

Are we expecting any Hull players to be in the England squad - realistically?

Taylor will be, but I think Watts would be unlucky to miss out if he doesn't get picked. Definitely one of the top 3 UK based props.

Shaul won't make it as they'll pick Hardaker (deservedly), Tomkins

Houghton won't get in front of Clarke, Hodgson or Roby.

Sneyd possibly has an outside chance, but I wouldn't hold my breath

clarkes been pretty poor this season - i reckon mc shane before him. lomax will go won't he, that means shaul has no chance, but i would take shaul because he has the x factor that the aussies might not be expecting - could unlock their defence with some unorthodox play.

wonder if bennett has even looked at watts, he's too busy with the nrl based players - do we expect heighington and other aussie brits to get in the squad?

Taylor is our best bet for an England call up, but Watts has been the better player this season in my opinion. Although I still expect Taylor to only be a bench player at best.
Lomax and Tomkins will be in the squad, one because the RFL are in love with him and will no doubt be in Bennetts ear about taking him and two, Lomax has some of his wage paid by them so again they'll want him in the squad.

Manu will captain Tonga again. Talanoa should get picked for Tonga too because he is way better than Oldfield, Carlos may stand an outside chance for Samoa.

I don't agree with it but I don't think any of our players will be in the England squad.

Don't see Taylor for England tbh. Don't think he'll get picked
Fonua ( ex hull now) amazingly is not in Tonga squad but manu should captain

thats what my post was hinting at. probably no hull players and bennett will go old old, though i hope he draws the line before kevin brown

Last time I saw Manu in Aus was when he captained Tonga against Samoa a couple of years back. Frank Pritchard captained Samoa.

Will be at the Aus v England game in Melbourne later this month. The day marks my dear old dad's birthday who first started following Hull back in 1910.

I'd be quite happy if none got selected and they all put there feet up until pre season.

Fonua is included in the Tongan squad?

Whilst it's a very selfish attitude, I agree

Manu will no doubt be pleased to have Fifita and Taumalolo join him in the pack. Their squad is now looking seriously good.

definitely, odds have come down from 100/1 to 20/1, shows the bookies think they have a better shot at doing well with the squad announced.

Shaul may get a look in now!

Liking the look of Tongans back too, three quarter line of

Fonua
Hurrell
Jennings
Vatuvai

Looks very good power and the speed of Jennings could be very dangerous.

dont think so
cant see any Hull FC players in the squad whilst this guy is in charge.
If there was anyone who should be included on current form its Watts

That Tonga team does look bloody good, just had a look at the groups and if they finish 2nd in their group they will probs have Fiji in the quarters, should win that, and play Australia in semis. If they could beat NZ and finish top of that group then they would probs play France (and smash them) and then England with Australia and NZ playing in the semi.

Can they beat NZ? Will be a close game that one, if they win then us or them in the final, suddenly this world cup has become very interesting!

Mark Minichiello to Captain Italy

yes he might - apparently there's no way ZH is going to any world cup any time soon

He'd been told he was ommitted. Something must of changed
Tongan squad is the most physically explosive squad I've ever seen. Probably lacks some savvy and finesse but they will be fun to watch (not to play against tho)

With rumours abounding on Casforum that Hardaker is out of World Cup consideration, Saul surely will be selected.

Nah they’ll just select Tomkins, Lomax and Ratchford.

[url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/41542423a very silly young man[/url