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.

As dire as Brough the year before?

Given the very ordinary season the Leeds Rhinos have had this year along with their failure to win when it really counts, it beggars belief that there's 7 of their players selected in the England squad of 24.

Looking at those that have been included who do you think should not be in the squad:

Hall - definitely should be
Watkins - without a doubt
Briscoe - another shoe in
Hardaker - after Tomkins the best english FB in SL
Sinfield - he is the captain so has to be in
Ablett - Westwood apart as good as any second row in SL
Burrow - I would not have included him

Burrow apart every other player is in on merit - do you disagree and if so which players would you have picked instead?

for once i cant believe it but i agree with william eve on his assesment of the rhinos in the squad, the only one worth his place to me is ryan hall, dont get all the cudjoe knockers for me watkins is much more of a worry to me, his defence is shocking at SL level nevermind international level, not overly convinced with his attack either.

You do realise old billy boy is a bit of a Micky take don't you?

So the only alternative you have offered not in the squad is Ratchford for Hardaker - suggests a lack of credible alternatives. They are in on merit as the best available players - sad state of affairs.

So what if Watkins is unfit for the World Cup?
Some time to go but he was crocked in the Wigan game and had a stinker apart from that. Great with ball in hand but a defensive nightmare.
Charnley & Goulding would have been a better centre/wing.
Cudjoe can play left side and should go there with Hall.
O'Loughlin may not make it so Ferres is on the plane.
Widdop can't be fully fit for International intensity so Matty Smith on standby.
Ratchford should be on standby for utility value. Good at fb, centre & half back.

Does no one else think that some of Watkins defensive frailties are exaggerated by a Leeds tactic to rush up out wide?

No they are exaggerated on rlfans.com, he's no where near the liability in defence that is made out in here