The dream team hasn't been the same since leeds were relegated

Hasn't the Dream Team been picked from mainly homegrown players over the last few years, including the French in that?

Taylor has had an excellent season, as have Ellis and Houghton for Hull. Saints aren't the same attacking threat without Percival which shows he is doing something right, Bateman has carried Wigan's to victory on his own in a few games. They would be my five.

As for my team, Widnes, I'm struggling. A lot of our 'big' players have missed quite a few games, Hanbury is a constant threat with the ball but he's no Paul Wellens when it comes to defending, Lloyd White is steady and can influence a game when he moves to LF when Heremaia comes on.

I would plump for Matt Whitley as an outside chance for young player of the year. He's played plenty of minutes, runs good lines and tackles above his stature. Hopefully we keep hold of him for years to come.

Catalans:

Morgan Escare
Jodie Broughton
Fouad Yaha
Anthony Gigot
Vincent Duport
Krisnan Inu
Lucas Albert
Thomas Bosc
Richard Myler
Todd Carney
Jason Baitieri
Glenn Stewart
Jerome Bousquet
David Taylor
Louis Anderson
Remi Casty
Paul Aiton
Eloi Pellissier

Championship Dream Team

Iliess Macani
Ben Hellewell
Elliot Kear
Rhys Williams
Jamie Soward
Nick Slyney
James Cunningham
Mark Ioane
Daniel Harrison
Jamie Thackray

Notable omission Jordan Sigismeau.

Super League Dream Team:


FB - Luke Dorn,
W - Denny Solomona, Dominic Manfredi,
CE - Krisnan Inu, Anthony Gigot
SO - Luke Gale
SH - Christopher Sandow
PR - David Taylor, Christopher Hill,
HO - Paul Aiton
SR - Mark Minichello, Glenn Stewart
LF - Gareth Ellis

Interchange: Eloi Pellissier. Louis Anderson, Jerome Bousquet, Kyle Amor

Shaul
Solomona Fonua Atkins Broughton/Talanoa
Miller/Gidley Gale/Sandow
Taylor Houghton Hill/Bousquet
Stewart/Westerman Minichiello
Ellis

A dream team isn't necessarily the best X13, it's those who have performed well this year. There is a lot of quality not in those selections.

Contrary to popular belief I'm not sure the standard of the league is as bad as some are making out. I think defences particularly those of teams towards the bottom of the league keep improving making it harder to score. A lot of teams play a very structured game based on percentages, we are where the Australians were about 10 years ago when they decided they needed to tidy a few things up. I watch the NRL regularly, they have a lot less niggle and a lot less messing about at the play the ball with the ref controlling that area and another ref controlling off side at the defensive line. This leads to a cleaner ruck and a better product.

SL must be of a higher standard than last year or how can you explain last season's treble winners being relegated to the middle 8's?

It's a bit too early for a Dream Team but here's what mine would be so far:

1. Shaul
2. Broughton
3. Fonua
4. Atkins
5. Solomona
6. Gale
7. Sneyd
8. Taylor
9. Houghton
10. Bousquet
11. Currie
12. Miniciello
13. Ellis

No-one from my team deserves to be in it this season, though special mention has to go to Jimmy Keinhorst for working his backside off and putting in good performances even whilst the rest of the team were dire.

Why? I'd expect the players to come from the 12 teams which started SL this year.

Don't think he should be considered for the dream team, but Segeyaro has been very good when I have seen him play. No coincidence Leeds' upturn in form coincided with his signing.