I didnt see that no, but i dont think Briscoe is good enough for England either anyway.

Hopefully Widdop will live up to expectations, otherwise we are screwed, lets face it - the fullbacks who we are talking about here, and who we have available: Mathers, Briscoe, Leon Pryce, Wellens, etc are classes and classes and classes below what they produce in Australia.

Obviously I would have Richards in my team... I wouldn't play him at fullback though. He is much more effective on the wing.

He's played just 2 games this season and his career. Saw lots of him in the Toyota cup last year and he was going great best full back in the comp at under 20's level, not sure how he's doing this year in the NSW Cup. Great prospect but ive questioned his inclusion. The Aussies must be wondering why we have to pick a 2nd grader for full back. Certainly cant be considered to be the form full back when he isnt even play enough 1st grade to have any form...

Its not just one missed tackle though is it, its one missed tackle that knocked you out of the challenge cup. That undoes anything else he did during that game, as a full back he was left wanting when it mattered.

Thats a far bigger error from Richards than anything that Mathers has come up with in the past whilst at Warrington.

can you honestly say that richards deserved MOM , as much as i dislike o`loughlin him and andy coley were immense for you lot on saturday

What a suprise that it's the Wigan fans who are "mocking" Mathers, it's time to change the record, whilst we have a Saint know-it-all who has just exposed his knowledge, or to be correct his lack of knowledge, of the the NRL to us.

I agree with Rob that the inclusion of Widdop in the squad is an absolute joke. Two first grade games all season in the NRL and we wonder why the Aussies give international rugby league any respect. Whether Mathers should be picked or not I'm not sure. I can't think of a full-back in Super League qualified for England who is currently playing better. However given a choice I'd have played Eastmond there but now he's injured I think Leon Pryce may be the best option.

I again agree with Rob that Mathers was outstanding against Bradford and played a major role in getting us through.

I think the 'from what I've read', bit excludes me from that, as I clearly wasn't claiming any knowledge of it.



How do you know he's not been known about my McNamara for a while? He is a very lively player, certainly already a better bet than what we have available. He 'could' be outstanding for all we know. Why not pick him?

so why do you consider yourself qualified to make the statement

Do you really consider somebody who has played 2 first grade games a better option than a player who has been a regular, putting in a number of good performances, in a team running second in Super League and as good as in the Challenge Cup final which the same player scored the opening try in last season's final on the way to lifting the trophy?



How do you know he "is a very lively player"? You have never ever seen him.

If, as some people seem to be putting about, England wanted to make sure he remained available for England rather than Australia then I suggest they should have picked Rhys Evans, after-all he's only 2 first team games behind Widdop.

Quick put Sky Sports 4 on now as the NRL review is on, you can see Widdop playing full-back; according to yourself that is. I bet he looks like a Billy Slater clone to the casual viewer.

That was my main point, out of all the english qualified full backs i can`t think of anyone thats in better form than Richie Mathers.

Ok he isn`t Billy Slater and never will be, its about picking an England team based on form and he`s the in form english full back.

I`m not sure why people brought up Pat Richards on an England squad based thread as we all know he`s irish through and through, anyway he`d never consider playing for another country outisde of the one that he grew up in across the oirish sea.

to be fair give widdop a chance i know it a brave decision to play him after only two games but from what other people to be sayin he the real deal even thou they have only at under 20 level. if he puts in a MOM performance against france i bet ya you will change your tune then

As much as i like Mathers, the answer to Englands on going full back search is long-term, therefore why not give Widdop a chance the lad is only 21.

He can't be that bad to play under Bellamy and Storm.

I think the inclusion of Widdop is a good decision by McNamara and could prove alot of people wrong.

Seen him many times doing cracking try saving tackles, usually one on one.

Totally unfair - surely you're not questioning Mathers' motivation at any stage since he joined the club? That he's been able to turn a negative into a positive is all credit to him.

This is probably a bit of a trial for him before he signs for Bradford next year!