When the overated Westbrook wins his 4th league MVP, then we will talk. He won't even get 2

Regards

King James

I might have to change my mind on Gildart just missing out if he keeps this form up. He has 4 trys and an assist in his last 2 games. Including the World Club challenge and two cup ties against Wire and Salford he has 11 trys and 7 assists in 12 games. He's having one hell of a season.

I like him, probably behind Watkins and Percival, also there is Shenton. If he can finish the season strongly then he must have a chance of a squad place.

From a Hull perspective think either one of Taylor/Watts must go, as it stands I'd take Watts, as he offers something a bit different to other props.

If we are taking two hookers then Houghton has to be considered, I still don't see a better hooker in SL and regularly outplays his rival hookers.

Gildart is battling with Shenton for the back up centre slot for me. I'd have had him a nudge behind before these past sat two weeks based on a lack of games for Gildart but his record this year is fantastic. He's edging closer to a spot for sure.

I'm with you on Taylor and Watts. I would have at least one of them in and potentially both. I'm a huge fan of Watts. He's not only a huge lad who can punch holes in teams but he's also got some really good ball skills. After Graham, Sam Burgess and Hill there's probably three other prop places available and they'll be between the two other Burgess lads, Watts, Taylor and Walmsley.

As for Danny Houghton he's a superb superleague player but it always seems like he's unlucky to be fighting for a place in an area that's hugely strong for us. I'd get James Roby back invloved tbh and Hodgson isn't going to be left out. I'd liken Houghton to Sam Powell at Wigan (although clearly a better player) in that to get the best from him you want him to be playing 80 minutes. We're not going to do that and I think Roby and Clark offer more from the bench. I actually wouldn't be surprised to see Williams on the bench anyway to cover the halves and hooking positions.

Surely having an 80 minute hooker gives us an advantage? He just seems completely indefatigable. He can make 60 tackles and scoot 10 times from dummy half and still barely break sweat. There are better attacking hookers to pick from, but having a player like that not only takes a big workload off the rest of the pack but also allows an extra option on the bench instead of just having another hooker. Its not like any of the other options have excelled at international level in the past (possible exception of Roby, but his best is behind him).

Wouldn't it be nice to have a back on the bench? Or, for that matter, as NK suggests, a half?

When is Grant Millington eligible for England?

Houghton, like Walmsley is a player for SL.

Houghton isnt great in attack and isnt great distributing from dummy half, he is incredibly fit, has decent speed and is an absolute workhorse but those things he isnt great at will get ripped to pieces at international level. It would just leave us on the back foot too often.

Similar with Walmsley who is so big and strong he is always a danger, he makes good metres and can get an arm free but from time to time his lack of agility gets exposed. Do that against Australia or NZ and Isaac Luke is running at him 20times a half and Cam Smith is popping a perfect pass to someone on his outside shoulder two times a set.

An example at Leeds is Cuthbertson. He isnt get his arms free as anywhere near as often, teams arent having to commit a couple of edge defenders to guard the offload and can focus on him and all of a sudden a player who is huge in SL is boxed in to being an up and down prop and he isnt very good at that.

No one fancying Joe Greenwood for a place?

I wouldn't be against it but ultimately we know it won't happen. There is no way in the world that Josh Hodgson won't be first choice under Bennett due to him playing in the NRL so when I think about what will work alongside Hodgson, players like Roby, Clark or Williams are more towards the front of my mind.

Houghton falls in to the same category as Liam Farrell for me in that there is no point picking them if you're not going to play to their strengths and let them go the full 80.

I remember when Joe Westerman got picked in the England squad whilst he was at Hull. When he came back after a training camp he said he didnt appreciate how good Danny Houghton's distrubution was until now.

As daft as it sounds Houghton reminds me of a poor mans Cameron Smith. Excellent distribution, tackles his backside off, plays 80 minutes and occasionally makes the odd break. I'd be very tempted to play him, however like someone said above he needs to play 80 or there is no point and for that reason it will be Hodgson and either Clark/Roby/Williams.

Since 2014

How have him and Wardle got on in the NRL this season?

Both have done OK, but Joseph Greenwood has performed better of the two.