So the money the World Cup made was pointless? As was the exposure the event got, which should - if marketing people within the game had any ability whatsoever - have led to increased future revenue for the sport as a whole?

Europe Cavaliers not England Lions in my opinion. The word Britain has been hijacked by you Pommies, it now doesn't mean what it was meant to. A woman on Corrie even called it the British language!!!!!!!! Decided am going to send a letter to ITV.

The only way RL will ever grow is through internationals gaining the media exposure that the Grand Finals and Saints v Wigan derbies never will. Not with the way the media and society works these days.

What international matches are going to get media exposure England v Australia apart Wales are a poor side France are a poor side png have gone backwards Fiji Samoa and Tonga look good on paper bit are again poor sides Italy are a joke just full of Aussies USA don't even use American based players because of some dispute the other decent side new Zealand makes three good sides the same as it has been for the last 100 years

So ignore the World Cup and carry on talking about England vs minor nations then? OK.

BTW, back on topic, it seems to have escaped notice that Hodkinson was picked for the City-Country game (supposedly NSW's Origin "trial" match), which would mean he was eligible for Australia. He pulled out, but given that he was selected initially (as a replacement for Aiden Sezer, which puts him well down the list of potential Origin players) it would suggest he's not the rabid Union Jack waving British patriot James Graham made him out to be.

Unless he pulled out because he wants to play for England and hadn't told the NSWRL of course, but he was reportedly "injured". I put that in quotes because it seems that very few players want to play in City-Country - mainly because it clearly isn't a selection trial for Origin. The number of unavailable and injured players is quite remarkable.

Hodkinson has to be a target for England, since his goal kicking and field kicking and passing are superior to the talents of Sinfield and anyone else in SL.

that little grub should be banned for weeks for trying to cause injury(twisting the knee) in todays easy win against the dragons...no room in the game for actions like that

But in behaving that way Hodkinson would be in good company with internationals Isaac Luke and Paul Gallen, and Leeds enforcer Ryan Bailey.

luke should have got the same for his third man in tackle effort gainst the aussie 2-3 years ago in that intl

Just to update, Hodkinson won't be playing for England. If he stays in the NSW side, he and Cherry-Evans for Qld would both be England-qualified halfbacks but playing against England.

As an aside if I were McNamara I'd be using this stint at the Roosters to let any England-eligible young players he can find that if they want to, the route is open to play for England.

If Hodkinson fails badly in Game 1 of SoO then probably he will be dumped.

As I understand it he could then declare himself for England in 2017.

However by then I expect that Sneyd and Widdop will be well established as England's halves.