I've got to say, I'm totally bemused by a good number of the selections in this squad and Smith's comments. He's said the 17 included may or may not play against France, I mean that just defies any logic doesn't it?

Maurie has been nowhere near any form for months now, not sure if he's crocked. I could even debate the merits of Roby and Burrow being in there, they both seem a bit off form, which I think is more down to being knackered.

I assume there must be some logic to the likes of Hock, S Tomkins, Pryce (love him or hate him, he's playing well), Fox, S Briscoe, Clubb, Welham etc not being included? I might have been watching the wrong league this season, but all of those guys have been bang in form.

I don’t see why they have picked this squad. Only reason I can see is to make the game more competitive and give encouragement to the French team and its support.

Well correct me if I'm wrong, but this is NOT a team, but a group of players, who will benefit from some additional coaching and development? Who may then go on to be selected for England.

What have I missed? Why the furore?

A few people have said this now but can i repeat 'It's not the squad for the French test'.

Players in that list will miss out and some will come in.

Players will be added to that squad as the year goes on.

If that is what it's for then there are some strange inclusions and omissions IMO.

Dave

If it's about development and additional coaching and not a playing squad as such then why pick Maurie, Peacock etc? Guys who've been in the international set-up for a while.

This 17 seems like a halfway house between an England Development Squad and a Stick With What You Know Squad.

I'd guess it's an Elite squad that means it's a group of players you see as your best and a group of players they may get to hook up for training sessions throughout the season so they can get to know each other abit better.

I think this comes from the supposed problems between Saints and Leeds players during the world cup and it's noticable that it's not solely loaded with players from those clubs.

Perhaps in the future they'll be some form of central contracts similar to England RU and Cricket? i.e A pool of players is announced each year and England have access to them for training sessions & get togethers.

[i"The 17 will also form part of a national registered testing pool of players which the RFL have had to nominate under new World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules."[/i

might explain some notable absentees.

works wonders for RU and the cricket s doesnt it

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