Let's be honest though - the spread of players really does pale in comparison next to results.

I mean, if we take a pasting from the Aussies & Kiwis with an England team populated with players from every SL club - what does THAT say about our competition?

I think we've shown potential to close the gap in the last couple of years, it's been a mix of lack of depth and a lack of genuine international class in some positions. The NRL is a more physical competition than SL, has more consistency in its intensity and a greater depth to its player base. I think Super 8s is trying to address the first two by making the better sides play each other more often, but it doesn't address the size of player pool which is restricted by British RL's lack of geographic and financial clout. The upshot is that some of our top SL players probably lack the physical attributes to mix it with NRL standard equivalents week in week out. On the flipside there are players with good NRL pedigree who come to SL and don't particularly stand out because their physical capabilities have lesser weighting. Taking Luke Gale as an example, I've thought him a decent halfback since his time in London, and he seems to have matured as a player, but looking good against Saints patchy defence is a world away from an Aussie or Kiwi international defence where space is going to be much tighter. But having said that I'm not convinced we've got another NRL/international standard halfback to partner Widdop so as a form player he should be in with a shout.

Gale has delivered consistently this season whereas others haven't.

There's a reason he's Albert Goldthorpe Medal Winner this season. And the point about him being good against Saints' 'patchy' defence is hugely harsh and disrespectful. It would be the same for Matty Smith taking advantage of Salford's crap defence, or Wakefield's for instance. You can only play what is in front of you and if you are in good form and take team to pieces then you should be in the elite squad, no questions asked.

Incidentally, I'm pretty sure Gale was part of the side that took Leeds and Saints (both top of the league and in good form at the time) apart earlier in the year. He's proven he can do it in big games. What he's lacked at times is a strong supporting cast at Cas.

He does need to learn not to kick it out on the full at least once every game, though.

Bump.

very good tonight, outplayed both McGuire and Sinfield.

can't be far off the England 7 shirt

In answer to the first post ........ Make Leeds his B1TCH ???

Gale's performance last night was the best scrum half performance, Brough apart, I have seen against a top team in ages. I couldn't give a toss who he plays for but he is the obvious pick if we go for a natural scrum half. Though I would have no complaints if it was Widdop & Tomkins in the halves. Smith is a million miles from international level.

Totally agree but, you wouldn't bet on his selection for England.
On past form, Macnamara will probably give the spot to Wilkin or, try and entice Sinfield to switch back to league.

Our National team (and GB) have been poor in the halves for years and we don't like to pick specialist HB's for 6 & 7.
Let's just hope that there is a change.

sean o'loughlin

If McBanana picks on form - Gale will be in the squad.

McNamara picking players on form?



Good one!

like he did with Danny Brough?

He did. He picked him for the Exiles game, and he was 5hite, they fell out, which ended any hope of him playing for England again.

yeah, so he wasn't picked because the coach had a personal problem with him, very professional, let's hope others don't fall out with him then or England RL will consist of the same failures from the same clubs.