Its a long time ago, but i recall in 1986 that Gregory was injured and therefore unavailable for selection in the first test.
At the time many fans favoured Neil Holding for the half back spot, ahead of the uninspiring Derek Fox. (The Paul Deacon of his era)
Lydon at fullback proved a good ploy as evidenced by the sensational try Lydon scored against the Roos. The alternatives were Keith Mumby or Mick Burke which dont bear thinking about.

Tony myler was world class!!

Did you see him play? How can you call a man that was pure class.

He was just very injury prone.

Well no, the alternative was Steve Hampson, a specialist fullback who was simply brilliant. You can compare Wellens and Radlinski all you like, but Hampson p155es all over the pair of them.

Lydon scored a good try. Great! What else did he do apart from get sin binned for housing right in front of our own posts about 5 minutes later? I remember him being absolutely garbage in the second test.

As far as I'm aware, Gregory was actually in dispute with Warrington at the time and therefore wasn't playing any rugby, which I think is why he wasn't selected. By the time he came back for the third test, he'd signed for Wigan by that point, or at least was about to.

As for Neil Holding, I'm with you. He was great wasn't he? Very dangerous player and streets ahead of Deryck Fox. But like I said, he was Bamford's mate, wasnt he?

Erm, yeh. Which is sort of how I came to that conclusion. Pretty obvious, really.

However, see my earlier reply on the subject.

Martyn never rode on the backs of others to get success. He won it for himself. Edwards was in the right place at the right time. Any other and he'd have slid into obscurity.



And they all sank without trace like the second-rate bums they were. Goodway - [s].

Even if don't agree about his quality you can't suggest that any of the reasons you've put above were why Tommy God never got picked for Great Britain because Tony Smith got capped ahead of him.



He wasn't picked because we didn't have any British coaches who could handle his quality which is further evidenced by Tommy God's performances under McRae and Millward.

I suppose it stops him from being blamed for us not winning the Ashes. If we'd have picked the on true footballer we had at the time we'd have beaten the Aussies. Instead we ended up getting lumped with stiffs like Smith, Harris, Farrell and Sheridan playing in the half backs despite the continued success of [iThe S[/i half back pairing in Super League (which IIRC was the only all-British one out of the top four before McGuire and Burrow came along).

Funnily enough the Saints half back pairing regularly guided [iThe S[/i to trophies and yet no coach would pick them together because it was thought that other players, who had achieved and contributed less should get the nod. I can understand Harris getting a run after his good season, however there is no argument in the world that could make a case for playing Farrell at stand off ahead of Tommy God at international level. Tommy God with his two dodgy knees was still twice the ball player of anyone else we had whether you like it or not.

Oh and let's not forget Goodway playing the most electrifying half back in the competition, pre-Lance Todd Legend Days, on the wing.

Absolute rubbish.
Edwards, the man who WON more winners medals than any other player, scored more tries than any other halfback, captained his club and country, led the ONLY English club team to victory in Australia the WCC, and he was according to you, just a support player.
If it was so easy, why didn't others do it?

And as for the coaching, what are the coaches doing now who picked Martyn in their team.

And with all this wonderful ability that Maryn had, why is he not coaching.

Isn't Edwards now one of the most respected rugby coaches?

He wasn't picked because he was too good?

That's a new one on me.

He wasn't picked because the coaches we appointed were useless.

He wasn't picked because he wasn't good enough.
End of story.

No matter how you try to dress it up, that was the reason.

It's like the boys brigade marching through St. Helens.

Oh look they're all out of step except our Tommy.

I can't remember, did Millward pick him for Lancashire?

Name the better British stand offs during his time that you believe were keeping him out of the side. If you start with Tony Smith you'll have zero credibility on this board forever.

Between 1993 and 2003.
Edwards, Schofield, Harris, Davies, McGuire and that's without even having to think.

When do think tippling Tommy was at his best?

If as you suggest he was so good why did Hanley want rid?

You as well as I probably know the reason.

And as to his last try at Central park for the losing side, who played Tommy off the Park that day?

Chris bl88dy Chester.

That should tell you a lot about tippling Tommy. Outdone by Chester and then by Julian O'Neil.

Danny McGuire?

The most one dimensional halfback ever