Didn't go but from the TV Newman seemed to have a better game than I expected. I was surprised he was selected though.

He's played well in all the games he's been selected for England. Wane and the team around him have been able to get a better return on his ability. Wane will continue to pick him while he plays well for England

I`m sure we can do better than those 2 with their lack of understanding on how the game is now played along with the stupid comment of "Johnny on the spot" it does my head in.
Not that I`m biased but Stevie Ward and Ryan Hall would be better options from what I`ve heard from them when guesting on Sky Sports.

Davies should have retired when French did.

His voice and nonsense comments just grate. The whole thing looks and sounds amateur

It`s either those 2 or Kev Brown with his broad Lancastrian accent or Jamie Peacock with his Yorkshire accent.
It`s no wonder people outside the M62 corridor don`t bother with RL.

I don't mind the ex players doing the preamble or half time chat.
It's the in game commentating that annoys me. They just chat nonsense, sound incredibly dull and have no charisma or enthusiasm.

The most amazing play could happen and the comment would be " how's that then? " .

Robbie Paul can do one. Brain and mouth seem to be disconnected. Talks ten to the dozen and adds nothing to anyone's understanding.

Jonathan Davies probably past it now but he's a recognisable figure for non RL fans in the audience. Those people are a bit thin on the ground - what's Kevin Sinfield up to?

Agree with you. Jonathan Davies is the only member of the entire commentary team who has any credibility/cut through with a national audience. He was also a genuinely world class performer (the try he scored against the Aussies at Wembley in 94 is right up there with best I've ever seen) in league and union. He might have had his best days pre Superleague, but he's genuinely been there and done it. Got to be careful what you wish for. JJB might be lurking in the wings. On a different theme I was pleased to read that an Ashes series looks likely to be played in England in 25. It's been far, far too long.

I don't mind Noble - but Davies is outdated and way out of sync with the modern game

Noble just reads from his book of clichés whether they fit the situation or not, he's like a broken record 'for our viewers at home, its called a test match because it tests every facet (loves that word) of the game',

Think all commentators and pundits outstay their welcome at some point (apart from true greats like Richie Benaud). You can tell when someone produces a Bingo sheet of their sayings. Stevo was a classic case.

People used to moan like mad about Eddie Waring and Ray French being out of touch and a bit "northern music hall" but the players who those blokes commentated on held them in great respect. We have moved on a long way from the days of the "up and under" and "the 6ft 4, sixteen stone, former Blackbrook AMATEUR player".

It's a difficult job as you need to inform, educate and entertain. Catering for a terrestrial free to air TV audience with massively varying levels of understanding is a challenge too. Too much jargon and technical talk will turn off the average sports fan and too many cliches will annoy Seth and anyone else that wants a bit of insight. It's a balancing act.

I'm sure the Bradford players will be full of 'vigor' after a preseason with Noble.

The "big boppers" will be ready.

The informed viewer can pick holes galore in a lot of the commentary. They certainly can with Davies; I can't abide his nasal ramblings. But for the casual viewer, who these games need to attract, they don't generally know their butt from a wing forward. So if Davies says something it must be accurate as he was a great player, albeit his contribution was massively overstated. I get it on other sports from friends and family who have little idea of the sport. They just repeat what they have heard in commentary or read it in the gutter press. So we do need informed, educated and well-known figures to present and keep other media interested.