The playing standards in SL have fallen for several reasons and the lack of overseas stars in SL is without a doubt another major contributory factor in that fall since 2008. The salary cap combined with the weakness of the UK currency in comparison to the Australian and Kiwi dollar are a couple of other major contributory factors.

However, you cannot dismiss the role of franchising, the increase from 12 to 14 teams, the 8 team play-off system and their overall effect on watering down the SL product and lowering the intensity. When the extra 2 teams were introduced into the SL franchising mix in 2009 and P&R was done away with, anyone with any sense knew it would weaken the overall playing standards of the competition - where teams were suddenly rewarded for their mediocrity via a Top 8 play-off system or rewarded with continued SL membership and no threat of relegation for being worse than mediocre.

It remains to be seen what effect the fall in domestic SL playing standards since 2008 has on England's performances and results during the World Cup in 2013. They were a total and utter embarrassment in 2008 and that was from a far healthier position in terms of domestic playing standards.

I've heard many players say how amateur the England set up was in 2008. I'm not saying a professional setup = a winning side, but it certainly never helped.

This time around it seems to be far better and the players seem to be more prepared for the tournament.

Centre is a problem and always has been. It will be interesting to see how well Watkins and Cudjoe play for England - if they are the two selected

what sl stars? name names.

What aload of tripe, can you actually use some examples of how the quality of play has dropped? or have you just pulled it out of your ass?

I can't remember the last time we have had such competition from the top 5/6 teams all with home grown players making up most of the squads.

The England selection pool is much better than 5 years ago.

There's no doubt that centre is our weakest position, I'm quite nervous about them defending against NZ and particularly Oz.

Anyone defending against Aussie will struggle - it's what they do

However with Cudjoe and Watkins I think we have our best chance, certainly Cudjoe's defence is outstandingly good on the flanks

I'd still like to hear who these supposed overseas stars are you are referring to?

I wouldn't play Shenton, but the point about left sided centres is valid, Only Ablett (part time centre) and Atkins are naturally left sided out of pretty much all of the names mentioned.

Ratchford is a good shout and Widdop has played left centre too, but a long time ago.

Cudjoe is happy down either flank FWIW

I would imagine he is thinking along the lines of, matty johns,brett dallas,darren albert,jamie lyon,trent barrett,steve renouf,alan langer,david furner,chris mckenna,stephen kearney,shaun berrigan,ali lauiatiti,stacy jones,brad mackay,logan swann.thats just quickly off the top of my head you could go on and on with the big names coming over through the first ten years of SL.the quality has seriously dried up the past few years.

Watkins if fit, Ablett and goulding for me...

Goulding maybe, at least he is a centre though well below Watkins and Cudjoe

Ablett isn't even a good second row and he's a worse centre

I dont like Leeds either but come on mate. I know one game doesnt prove the statement right or wrong but he was awesome against Saints in the playoff game and shows what he is capable of. Although I agree i wouldnt have him anywhere near centre in a SL game never mind International.

cudjoe has had 1 good game in an important match and that was against leeds then went missing in the next, he is so overrated its becoming a joke. Goulding isn't the best in the world but he's better than cudjoe hands down and i don't particularly rate Goulding highly at least he's consistent in performances and knows charnley.

Goulding and Charnley would have been a better bet than Charnley and Watkins.
The Wigan pair have sorted out their defensive problems whereas Watkins proves on a weekly basis he's defensively hopeless, he is a better attacking option than Goulding.
The 9s should be McIlorum to start then Roby off the bench.
As for scrum half, I just don't want Chase in there, I don't buy it at all.
Chase out and Matty Smith in, or, have a chat with Danny boy to try and talk him round to playing for England

Chase is so much better and more talented than Smith it's not funny.

I'm not on about his ability.
I don't like the residential qualifications required which allow you to play for England. Should be based on being born in the country or a recent forebearer born in England IMO.
I know he's a better player than Smith but it hasn't worked yet for him in the England shirt.

no ones mentioned hardaker? didnt he play centre when we played exiles this year?

Carl Ablett is a very good SL player and one that contributes greatly to Leeds and their past success. But he hasn't got the extra level required to step up and be an international player. The same goes for Jamie Jones-Buchanan. Workmanlike. And workmanlike doesn't win you World Cups.

Think some are being over critical of Ablett. He's a very good centre when played on the left side (played very well with Hall before). He also has that rare and good asset of coming up with something in big games and not go hiding in them like some do. He's also probably been Leeds' best player over the last month or so, so in good form. I'd feel more confident seeing him at centre than Cudjoe and possibly even defensively worrying Watkins.

As for Hardaker at possible centre. He can come up with good stuff there for himself but his supply to his winger is non-existent.

If he rubs the opposition up the wrong way in international like he seems to do in SL that could be an asset.

watkins and cudjoe the England centres for the world cup.

cudjoe will let no one down, class act and for the best centre in super league. Had a poor game last time out but been brilliant all season..his defence is awesome and attack is improving year on year

His attack is, stat wise, better than any other centre in Superleague barring Watkins who has a slightly higher strike rate but makes more errors

Yes and he was absolutely dire

cant have been that bad bagged a try, better than some options mentioned on here.