houghton is a victim of the system England will play. he's an 80 minute man, whereas england will obviously use 2 hookers as they did last time with hodgson starting and clarke spelling him, probably either side of HT.

AS an FC fan from a selfish point of view this is good news. our players are shattered mentally and physically and need a break and can thus emerge fresh for a full pre season

Valid point but with only a 24 man squad if we lost Hodgson we need an 80 minute player, Josh can also cover loose very well.

No real complaints with that squad.

Personally I couldn't agree less. Houghton is a good player, but when everyone is fit and firing he would be at least 5th on the list.

I would have all these above him(in no particular order):
Hodgson
Roby
Clark
McIllorum.


Roby is similar to Houghton in that he is a workhorse, but has much better attacking instincts than him.
Look at how out of shape Wigan were in attack without McIllorum this year. The last couple of years it has been abundantly clear how much the attack fell off in games in which he was spelled with another hooker. His defence is also monstrous. Houghton makes a lot of tackles, but rarely the type of tackles that make a player think about taking a hit up again.
And the two guts in the squad speak for themselves.

As I say, very good player that would improve most super league sides, but not quite the same level as the others.

Didn't I read Houghton is in the Scotland squad?

He's been linked but hasnt confirmed anything. As a Hull fan id like him to have a long rest after a knackering season, but I can see why he'd take up Scotlands offer, its his best chance of facing Aus and NZ, and as we know playing for them isnt a barrier to getting an England call up another year.

I guess Ferres has been included due to his good form for England ever since the WC. I don't think he would have been included were Currie and Ward fit.

Lomax
McGillvary
Watkins
Sarginson
Hall

Widdop
Gale

Hill
Hodgson
Graham
Whitehead
Bateman
S Burgess

subs
Clark
T Burgess
G Burgess
Cooper

don't understand what you are agreeing less about? where on that post have I said Houghton should be in the squad or is above the 4 players you have mentioned?

I'd say that's about there. I'm not sure about Lomax but I've not seen much of him this year. A decent HB out of position & not big enough at FB is my worry. Possibly Percival for Sarginson but a bit meh.

Lomax is a much better fullback than halfback, and has been the best fullback in the comp this year IMO. His ballplaying and slight of hand should give Watkins/Percival a fair few attacking opportunities.

Good squad that. Great to see Lomax in.

Probably only decision that i didn't get was Brown.

But Wayne Bennett is one of the greatest ever RL coaches. He was a big reason NZ won the WC in 08. I think we have a better chance and team compared to NZ in 08 IMHO I trust Bennett.