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.

Isn't everyone who writes to LE?

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.

Your opinion, which you're entitled to, but the reality is: FROM WIKI

Michael Geoffrey Leitch was born in Burwood, Christchurch, New Zealand, to a European New Zealander father and a Fijian mother. He was raised in Christchurch where he attended St Bede's College. In 2004, at the age of 15, he went to Sapporo Yamanote High School in Sapporo, Japan, as part of St Bede's school exchange program.After finishing school he attended Tokai University and in 2008 captained the Japan national under-20 rugby union team at the Junior World Championship. He became a Japanese citizen in 2013 and officially inverted his name in Japanese from Michael Leitch to Leitch Michael

Now, he may be an exception to the rule, but he cannot be accused of being a "mercenary" and he is a proud captain of the national side. I myself was born in the UK, but have never held anything other than an Irish Passport and I have never supported a British/English side, other than those that include Irish Players (Both Lions being a good example).