Who all played with injury towards the end of season, so good reason to withdraw I would have thought. I am sure the 'holier-than-thou' Wire would have done the same. Saints still have four in the side anyhow - five if you include Clark.

Welsby Captain, how much did Wane drink before coming up with that choice.

Maybe he thinks it will teach him to be gracious, reasonable and (most unlikely of all) to walk tall.

He wouldn't be able to play Gunner Parkin, if they ever remade It Aint Half Hot Mum.

Tonga: Latu Fainu (Manly Sea Eagles), Addin Fonua-Blake (New Zealand Warriors), Moeaki Fotuaika (Gold Coast Titans), Tyson Frizell (Newcastle Knights), Siliva Havili (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Will Hopoate, Konrad Hurrell (both St Helens), Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins), Eliesa Katoa (Melbourne Storm), Felise Kaufusi (Dolphins), Keaon Koloamatangi (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Tolutau Koula (Manly Sea Eagles), Tui Lolohea (Huddersfield Giants), Haumole Olakau'atu (Manly Sea Eagles), Will Penisini (Parramatta Eels), Hame Sele (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Mosese Suli (St George Illawarra Dragons), Tevita Tatola, Dion Teaupa (both South Sydney Rabbitohs), Starford Toa (Wests Tigers), Daniel Tupou, Siua Wong (both Sydney Roosters).

I selfishly don’t blame them.
I see no point in Wire risking our players, to play in a friendly, knowing full well that they will not be selected to play in the next World Cup in 2 years.

Last season Wire filled almost half of England team in the friendly vs France.
I can recall one of those lads playing for England in the World Cup semi v Samoa.

Percival broke his sternum against Catalans and Lomax played through a big chunk of the end of the season with broken ribs. Both genuinely shouldn't be playing.

Walmsley is a more interesting one. If this was a World Cup, I imagine he would be. But having just come back from a serious injury, he wasn't fit for the last two games he played in and it showed. He could play for England, but with no warm-ups to get him match fit, what's the point? Obviously from a Saints perspective we could have done with him not playing so he's fully fit for the start of next season. Also a case with him that given his age he's unlikely to be at the next World Cup, if there is one, anyway.

It's a friendly blood some young uns give them a go..fwiw is anyone really interested in this game

If I’m to be honest I’m only watching it because there is nothing better to do at that time. Yes agree should be looking at players for the future if there is to be an international future.

Just getting round to watching this and i LOVE something Wane just said.
He was asked "Are you forgiving of youngsters if they make mistakes?"
Wane- "No, i want them to play, i need to win".
I'm hoping this is an attitude Burgess can instill across the whole team

It’s why Wigan are the best at bringing youngsters through.