I don't like the rule but if the rest of the game does it you can't blame us for doing the same.

Australia and New Zealand have been doing this for years.

Personally I think you should have to hold a national passport to qualify, but until it is across the board then we have to use the same rules as everyone else and not shoot ourselves in the foot.

That doesn’t make it right, does it!



Get a grip, people on this forum talk relatively, no one’s saying what your suggesting!

Exactly.
The Japanese 30 man squad for the current collapsathon cup contains 12 "foreign" born players, from the Islands, NZ, Australia and South Africa, but do you hear Rugga fans bemoaning this use of foreign talent? Of course not, they applaud the team for topping their group and the Japanese fans have taken these foreign players as their own. Given Britain ruled half the planet, it's hardly surprising that their are heritage "foreign" players willing to put their hands up and if their good enough, then why not pick the best available.

Smashing, wonderful for Japan it is just a Basterdisation they and that silly game employ, its not for me Axe, if you wish to accept it fair enough, personally I think we have enough player's to pick from without employing people who have no emotional connection with our country, for me you need passion and pride in abundance, to these guy's I don't believe it is anymore that a job of work, it is just another jersey they will put on, if you suggest that they will have that same emotional connection with putting that kit on than a true Brit would have then I don't believe it.

Dead right. Also, Tongan and Fijian teams etc are weakened by Australia and New Zealand nicking their best players, perhaps if they didn't, we wouldn't one-sided world cup matches.

I don't think Liam Watts could have done much more to get in, if he can't get in on his performances this season, then why would he ever get in?

No O'Loughlin or Big Sam for loose forward. So I'm reckoning he's gonna play Thompson there, with Tom Burgess and Graham as the starting props and Hill, Walmsley or Philbin from the bench. Suprised Knowles didn't get a look in.

Whitehead and Bateman pick themselves in the second row, Jones or Hughes may get a bench spot, with maybe Bateman moving in to loose.

Hodgson starts with Clark likely to be coming of the bench.

Jerry and Hally look set for wing spots, I assume Gildart would be covering on the wing if needed.

Connor, Gildart and I expect Hardaker was taken as a three quarter, for centre spots.

1, 6, 7? God knows, seven players battling for three places. My best 3 would be Lomax, Widdop and Hastings. Which leaves out Coote, Austin, Williams and Trueman.

Of course Bennett may change the team around for different games.

Team I expect Bennett will pick

Coote
McGillvary
Hardaker
Connor or Gildart
Hall
Widdop
Hastings
T Burgess
Hodgson
Graham
Whitehead
Bateman
Thompson

Walmsley
Hill
Lomax
Clark or Jones/Hughes

As I correctly predicted in another thread, Bennett didn’t pick Watts because his defense isn’t good enough and Bennett loves a good defender.

Would have Gildart at centre over Connor personally

I did in deed mix the two up

Defo taylor

Although I am pleased we’ve signed green

Watts senior will be writing into the league express again, he will be furious...

Not too sure what he has to do to get picked tbh, okay his discipline isn't great but neither is Hills or Grahams for that matter and it does not stop them getting picked. I would go as far to say he was the best prop in SL this year, I just wonder how much of these players Bennett actually watches?

That’s my point it does make it right

It’s the norm and totally legal and there for it is right

Why shouldn’t they play? Because a few hacks on social media are not ok with it



Ok, I’ve got a grip
Read the OP, it’s bordering on hysterical

thing is, those having a pop at hill, his form hasn't been as good in recent years in SL, but he's always top notch for england, bennett knows he can rely on him.

Hill isn't captain at international level. The sooner wire take the captaincy off him the better.

While I agree with your sentiment, the reality of sportsmen (and women) is that they play to win and in a sense, that wont change if they are playing under "grand parent" or "heritage" rules.
I didn't notice any of the England Cricket or RU players trying any less because of these rules.
The Kiwis and South Seas sides seem to swap their allegiance from competition to competition and it doesn't affect the effort put in whatsoever.

The most disappointing aspect is that we cant produce enough quality players, especially in the halves, which has been a severe problem for over 30 years, which is pitiful.

If it's within the rules for whoever to play, then we should put out the best side possible.

Of course, we would all like them to be "totally British" but, we cant have everything.

Sorry to tell you this but most players in all sports don't give a damn about that pride and passion BS. You don't need pride and passion to play well for any jersey you represent.