Comfortably world class and streets ahead of any other English 9.

I honestly can't believe some people are advocating not picking him, club bias at it's very best.

Totally agree. He's evolved into a far better player than he was when he was simply an 'impact' hooker. He's a machine, his work rate is phenomenal.

I can see him playing hooker for the longest duration with Sinfield dropping in there for 15 minutes or so in each half, both to give him a breather and also to mix things up a bit.

I'm guessing because in the Hull's big games (Wire and Catalans) in the run up to the cup final he was superb. Agree with you though, not international class.

Hope Roby comes good in the play-offs as I think we need him. Interested to see who can share the berth with him though as I think it's hard to separate the likes of Higham (maybe too similar to Roby), McIlorum, Houghton and Lunt. Hopefully it won't be Rob Burrow!

It's a good point about Sinfield as well - he's been good at 9 but can you justify playing a stand-off there ahead of all those candidates?

For me; Sinfield, Roby and Chase should start if fit. Then either a half-back or hooker on the bench depending if you want to spell Roby or one of the halves.

No he doesn't. Houghton has been top tackler in the league 2 of the last 3 seasons. Houghtons overall game is superb. He scoots, has a good kicking game, is a quick thinker. Unfortunately for him, his distribution is poor in comparison to Lunt and Roby, and as such, shouldn't get the nod. I'd go Lunt and Higham myself.

I think Mcllorum put himself in front of Lunt for selection, on last nights performance

Agree with MMc and also feel we need an in your face hooker v Australia, higham or Roby to partner him with the play offs dictating who gets it

Mickey Mac for me

I feel MM misses too many tackles IMHO.

He does hit the hardest, but its not great creaming one player, then letting another go passed you. Has the tendency to lose his head when things are going against him, lets fact it, against the Aussies and Kiwis there will be times when things aren't going our way. He was the better player out of him and Lunt last night, but I'd personally choose Lunt.

Think McNamara will use Roby/MM/ and Sinfield as his hookers though

I'd tend to agree, he undoubtedly hits the hardest, and is far and away the most aggressive defender, however he was caught out three times last night being well out of position in the middle of the field, to allow players to go past him. No disrespect to Huddersfield, but the Kiwi's and the Aussies will take even greater advantage of that.

Assuming Roby can prove his fitness over the next couple of weeks he is a shoe in at 9 for me. It wouldn't surprise me to see McNamara use Roby starting, Sinfield moving up to hooker to spell Roby with Widdop/ANO half on the bench. I would prefer to see Lunt/Higham on the bench though.

Just wondered if you have changed your opinion of him or maybe you are spell blind by his wizardry against HKR.

James Roby was superb yesterday.