Currie and Atkins both scored 17 trys last season. Watkins scored 9, most of which were in the middle 8 play offs.
Percival scored just 6 trys.
As stated, the added physicality would have been beneficial against both the Aussies and Kiwis and with the better try returns, I know which players I have picked.

Currie was injured and isn't a centre anyway we will be using him in the back row. Atkins is a flat track bully as mentioned, a few extra trys on a plate for a team playing well in SL does not make you ready for Inglis and co. Atkins of today is not near international class and is in the fag end of his career. Look, i agree Watkins was out of form and poor, as were Leeds for this season. but until you give me a viable, realistic alternative Watkins is England's no.1 centre still imo.

If folk think Watkin's defence is suspect then they should take a long hard look at Atkins.
He's England's version of Kenny-Dowall.
Now watch SKD play a blinder in the final.

Currie is a better 'form' centre than any of those selected and played very well in the centre a number of times last season.
If you want another better centre than Watkins on 2015 performances, I would suggest Atkins or Josh Griffin on both attack and defence.

Please take those Rhinos glasses off and get objective.

Time to get your Wolves' tinted glasses off too.
We are generally in agreement re Currie but he is injured so irrelevant to this season's tournament.
Re Atkins we'll have to agree to disagree.

Even Warrington fans said that Atkins was poor in the final 3rd of the season. He played well in a well performing team, switch him and Watkins around and do you think Atkins is playing like that for Leeds this year?

At least when we reached the 2 finals in 2015, Watkins produced on both occasions. Set up several tries at Wembley and a crucial one at the GF as well as great defence in the 2nd row position and was most people runner up for MOM.

Atkins produced naff all at Wembley this year and then bombed a try at Old Trafford before jumping out of the defensive line unnecessarily and being the cause of Wigan's match winning try. Warrington should be the champions right now but aren't because of Atkins.

Flat track looks amazing when you are 20 / 30pts in front an cruising, out come the steps, flicks and tricks.

When you are behind the 8 ball and need him to put a shift in or try and create something - nope. He'd give Leon Pryce's GF hide and seek records a run for their money.

No Wolves glasses here just trying to be objective.
I note that you ignored my suggestion that Josh Griffin would be a better choice on form?

PS I've been a Cas fan for 58 years.

What!?..

i'm still waiting for a viable option.

Josh Griffin, a flat track bully and an injured back rower is all you can come up with?

Hang on...i'll give your next shout before you say it... Cudjoe

we are truly blessed

I think he means - Josh Griffin....a flat track bully in Atkins....and an injured back rower in Currie.

I was referring to Atkins as the flat track bully. Griffin, i don't feel i really need to waste my breath on why he shouldn't have played in this series, you put it pretty well enough though

)

Looks like it's a waste of time trying to have a conversation with you, because there is no way you can see past Watkins.
I mistakenly thought that the subject was about England / Australia, not just trying to justify the selection of an out of form Rhinos player, and trying to ridicule any other suggestion.

I asked you to give me a viable alternative, imo you gave laughable ones. I said Watkins was as poor as anyone in a struggling Leeds team that frankly most backs would have struggled to stand out in. Imo it's a case of Watkins being the best of an average at best bunch to choose from, i'm not at all saying i can't look past Watkins but until a better option presents itself he is the best hope we have i'm afraid.

Atkins is the poor man's Watkins. Both go missing more than you'd like but talent-wise the latter stands head and shoulders over the former. IMO of course.