Sounds more like ref fed up of repeat hits to the head on the border of being a penalty and his warning was ignored.

Deffo the softest of the high hits so far

As for HiA do international have different rules ?

Don't know, but surely protocols should be universal given the rationale around player safety. The risks don't change depending on whether the game is domestic or international. So, this being RL, they probably are different, yes.

Welsby's defence in this game

Clark non too impressed with it either it seems.

Farnworth, though... When was the last time England had the best centre in world? The best since prime Senior.

We've had a few good ones (Senior, Connolly, Newlove, Schofield) since I've been watching the game, but I don't think any of them could truly claim to be the best in the world. Farnworth has that acknowledged from his peers in the NRL. You'd have to say that makes him probably the best British centre since the days of Neil Fox.

Senior was voted into the world 13 2 years running in the early 2000s, Gleeson and Watkins were decent, but Farnworth is genuinely world class.

Yep. Watching him in the flesh today, he doesn’t just look like a world class a rugby player, he looks like a world class athlete. That's the measure for the best three quarters in the NRL, and he clearly exceeds it. England need to find two or three more (Young probably hits the mark) before we can be confident of giving the Aussies a game.

The Saints fans think that he's the messiah
but he's just a very naughty boy

IMO Farnworth,Joey Manu and Stephen Crighton are currently the best centres in the game

Did not see the game today , how did Palasia go?

Manu doesn't play league anymore.

Was good for 15 minutes but then became anonymous, but so did Somoa at that point

Some talk of a return of Yorkshire v Lancashire.

Torn on it tbh. Think it could be great if done properly but doesn’t/ won’t push the international game.

Used to complain about the Aussies not been interested. But in the last few years they’ve got the pacific cup right. Yes lots of work on player pools have helped the likes of Tonga/samoa/png but at its core I think regular games have been essential too.

We just don't have enough of talent pool for international to run two competitive teams like origin does imo

Should just be west v east so can include non traditional heartlands. I have no idea who could be eligible but surly we can find 34 players

Which 15 minutes, when he came on? Didn't think he did much good or bad to be honest didn't carry much but def3nded everything that came his way

Only saw the first half.
He looked solid and steady but I don't recall anything beyond that

I like the ‘idea’ of Yorkshire V Lancashire but i just don’t think it will work, Lancashire has been diluted as a county that I don’t think it really means much anymore to the players or fans.

Players will pull out left right and centre rendering it pointless

Yeah, the games would have to have huge importance for the England team like origin does.

It would take big changes and years to bed in

I guess it depends on what it means to the international coach. Wane obviously wants it, and if he makes it clear that this is a test match trial and sticks to that, then I guess the players and clubs can make up their own minds with regards to their international ambitions. I think the sport owes itself to give it ago with IMG giving it the big push. Headingley would make a great initial choice for a Roses match on a Saturday afternoon. You've got to start somewhere with these things.

But it’s not as if it hasn’t been tried before - and failed.

What about the players that don’t come from Lancashire or Yorkshire? I mean technically Wigan isn’t in Lancashire

I agree, but given the amount of NRL players who won't be available for it, how possible would that be?

Well, the simple answer to that is - it's never been tried properly. Mid week fixtures with no thought to fans travelling arrangements or player welfare - although even then (as Wane knows) it served a purpose in preparing GB for test football. It's worth mentioning that NSW and Queensland played each other for over 70 years in state games that never caught on with fans. It just took some vision and leadership to bring it alive as a concept. Your point about participation from outside the two counties would be a stronger if these players existed in any great number. But the fact is that at the moment they don't, and the talent they do provide never gets held back in terms of international consideration. Look, I know there are always reasons to believe something won't work, but would you rather take on France in front of 3k in a poor quality game that isn't even televised, and provides zero benefit in terms of prep for 3 tests with Australia, or try and do something different instead?