Is the squad final? Could he ask players to be available in case of emergency (difficult to see senior players agreeing to this). If not the 2 wingers with no obvious fill ins is indeed baffling.

Yes, centre is probably his best position, though he is an excellent full back and half back. I really rate Ratchford, I wish we had him.

It might be his best position but isn't anywhere near as good as shenton

I think Shenton is unlucky to miss out, but Ratchford will be in the squad as a full-back who can provide emergency cover at centre.

Shenton has done well at Cas but failed at a bigger club when he wasn't able to produce his best form. He is like a lot of the Cas players I'm afraid, not someone I would want to trust on the big occasion. On the other hand it was Ratchford's injury that helped turn the 2013 GF our way. A player with more natural talent than most, and certainly better than Shenton.

If Wigan get rid of Gelling who would you prefer? Shenton or Ratchford?

Lomax is one of the RFL's ambassadors, so he was always going. I've no problem with Tomkins not going if Hardaker was in the squad, but it seems strange to leave him out now. Bateman and Williams were pretty lucky to get the call-up tbf. Their form fell off a cliff at the end of the season. Seems like Bennett just stuck with the players he knows rather than those he doesn't.

Agree with you about Sam and George but that's harsh on Bateman. He came back from a long injury spell but seemed to be back to his best by the end, in fact at Wakey, he was really the only player who emerged with any credit at all.

Shenton all day long, you could say it was monaghans injury that helped us using that logic. As a centre you only have to look at his wingers tries scored in the few years,

It wouldn't bother you that he wasn't good enough at Saints thereby questioning if he can do it at a big club?

on that logic half the squad wouldnt be going as they havent won a lot and some havent been in a big team. Saints finished runners up in the GF 1 of the years he was there. Bear in mind he was there 2 years.

Fair point, and I'd probably say Ratchford, but because of his versatility, not because he's a better centre.

But really, either would be great!