I'd trust Alex saying there were NRL offers on the table ahead of you saying there weren't ... You sound very upset by this news.

The more top British players in the country the better, whether that's Sam, Alex or anyone else we can bring back over. It's a real shame were losing Whitehead.

Champion Walmsley that is to you. There were NRL deals offered, he said so on the press release.

He's no Ben Flower, I suppose.

Back under your bridge.

Shouldn't this be on the saints forum?

I think the question is, that should a Super League player try and test them in the NRL. I think myself that a player is better off to have tried that not to have tried. James Graham has gone over and been a success, the Burgess brothers the same, Tomkins not done too bad for example.

Better to have tried and failed than never to have tried at all.

Edited for Accuracy

He's only been full time a couple of years and still has a lot to prove in this league. If he wants to go to the NRL in 4 years then he'll be at his peak and I think one of the best props in the world.

I agree, and if he does reach his full potential, I think on a personal level it would be a shame if he didn't give the NRL a shot at some point in his career.

I find this attitude mental. Why would a British RL supporter consider it a shame if one of our best players doesn't leave for another country ? What kind of attitude is that ?

Let's not pretend you've got to go there to prove anything. Any RL fan worth their salt knew damn well that James Graham was one of the world's best props. He didn't have to put a Canterbury shirt on to prove it. The same goes for the likes of Chris Hill, Jamie Peacock, Walmsley - they don't need to prove anything.

I'd much prefer to keep our best players than only conclude that they are top notch when they've pulled an Aussie shirt on.

I am just putting myself in their shoes, if I was a rugby player I'd want to play at the top level wherever this may be and prove myself to be the best week in week out. Ok perhaps prove is the wrong choice of word, perhaps challenge is a better option.

I like every fan of British RL would love our league to be stronger and that all the stars stay here but sadly thats not the case, and besides there is nothing better than seeing a 'pom' rip it up down under showing them how good our players are.

If Walmsley's being drafted into the England side then I'm afraid Chris Hill is heading out with the rapidity of a pilot hitting the eject button.

Three big games this season. Three no shows.

Maybe he's injured. Maybe he's stale. Whatever the case he's a shadow of the player from two seasons ago.

can't agree with that. Hill has been for me the best english forward in the northern hemisphere for the last 3 years. not seen a single polynesian forward get the better of him in that time

Don,t think he's got much support from his fellow packmen at the wire they seem to heavily rely on him to make yardage on every carry, will look much better in an England side.
Walmsley is a bit different he,s got more of an expansive game this season and is getter fitter to do longer minutes.