Feel for McShane although I do think that Hood is the better prospect of the two.
McShane over last season and this has not been given a decent run in the 17 and when he has played he has done reasonably well considering his limited time on the pitch.
Hood will be tested on Friday and it could make or break his season even at this early stage.
I think Hood should have been given more game time against Cas to prove his inclusion this Friday.

Could the choice of Hood just reflect the need to get him more experience early in the season. BM had enough 'faith' in McShane to pick him for the WCC, I don't think that's the issue.

Coach McDermott also had enough faith to pick McShane V Hull KR and Wigan (although not enough to give him much actual game-time over the 160 minutes.)

McShane for me more than proved his worth V Manly and released Burrow to great effect and appeared to follow that up at Widnes to some extent. The mainly unsupported Burrow was back in his box last week, trapped at dummy half V Castleford.

All just coincidencies though, I'm sure it has nothing to do with squad selection. I guess now's the time to experiment in these mainly meaningless fixtures.

1. Webb
2. Jones-Bishop
3. Kallum Watkins
4. Zak Hardaker
5. Ryan Hall
13. Kevin Sinfield
6. Danny McGuire
16. Ryan Bailey
7. Rob Burrow
10. Jamie Peacock
15. Brett Delaney
12. Carl Ablett
18. Chris Clarkson

8. Kylie Leulaui
20. Darrell Griffin
23. Richard Moore
24. Liam Hood

I hope you're right. Think it was TadRhino who stated Burrow was best when given the 'roaming' role made possible by McShane been on the field at the same time (I saw this for myself at the Manly game). Why then not continue with that effective stategy ???

Seems we always have endure to at least one puzzling selection policy from our illustrious coaching staff



I hope Hood is going to get more than what is proving to be a wasted bench spot for at least one player who aspires to be that first choice hooker.

From the 19 announced this is def the 17 that should play......BUT join 'The Kirkettes' .....you know it makes sense. Their man is a nailed on certainty to start

For me clarkson has done nothing to justify a starting spot, and Pitts has done nothing wrong to be dropped. Out of the two clarkson for me should miss out this week

As a neutral I cant wait for this Friday!!

Il go Leeds by 2 in an absoulute classic.

Oops ! You're right of course. I overlooked Clarkson's inclusion at the expense of Pitts. That is indeed wrong. Pitts should play.

Be careful using the word " dropped " .... I was casitgated for daring to suggest that McShane had been " dropped ". If Pitts doesn't play he is merely being " rotated " owing to a " healthy squad " ... If Kirke plays he is not at all favoured. Everyone is being selected purely on merit. Ahem !

Anyone know the Wire 19?

Not seen an official squad yet. I know they picked up a few injuries at Bradford but not sure who will be missing. ( other than bridge)

Could Wire become the new unofficial WCC champions?

Thought this was it according to their site on Wednesday.
4 Ryan Atkins
18 Matty Blythe
6 Lee Briers
10 Garreth Carvell
17 Mike Cooper
23 Rhys Evans
15 Simon Grix
14 Mickey Higham
20 Chris Hill
21 Tyrone McCarthy
5 Joel Monaghan
8 Adrian Morley
7 Richie Myler
19 Stefan Ratchford
2 Chris Riley
11 Trent Waterhouse
12 Ben Westwood
22 Rhys Williams
16 Paul Wood

One thing's for sure, regardless who else plays, Atkins will be motivated by this week's England & Knight's squad announcements to want to prove a point againts Watkins & Hardaker.

Maybe. Its a shame he was as motivated last season when he turned his nose up at England selection. Maybe thats gone against him this time.

Won't he potentially be up against Watkins? Should be a good test for him

Personally Kirke's inclusion suggests that Bailey is not fully fit yet, and will be used in the event that hes absent. Seems consistent with his place in the squad as 5th choice prop.

I think that Kirke's place is more secure than Moore's.

Atkins is currently the best English centre in SL and was last season also, all IMO of course.

I don't know what the issues are or from which side but I hope they can be sorted out. We're hardly blessed with a huge surplus of quality outside backs to select from.

Personally I didn`t think he was that bad last year and for me probably the form centre so far this year.
What makes you so sure he turned his nose up at England selection last year?
If he did then it looks like it has come back to bite him on the ar$e.

Hasn't he claimed his wrist was injured and needed time to heal? But at the time, talking to a 'mate' of his, he simply sacked it off to go on hols with his new missus. It seems his heart just wasn't in it.

Who knows what the truth is?

I'm sure he sighted personal reasons as to why he didn't want to be considered for selection for england last season

Ah, the Andy Lynch syndrome.

I may be wrong but im 90% sure Atkins decided to undergo an operation so that he could be fit for the start of the super league season, Therefore requested not to be selected.

Monaghan and Hodgson missing for us, two pivotal players who we will miss against a side like Leeds.

I think Leeds will sneak it.