He's an excellent club player. I hope I'm wrong but I just think he's too small for internationals.

Could be right and I've had those concerns myself. At least you qualify it rather then just saying he's rubbish as I've read on the VT.

I'm with you and Nicky here.

He's a quality player, his contribution to your first try was top drawer. I don't understand the pointless niggle he sometimes gets involved in, like the late drop on Mags, but that doesn't detract from the fact that he was outstanding for Wigan on Saturday. Hope he goes as well against the Kiwis

Long live the Pearl. By far the best player at the club. I remember watching him in the academy in the same team as Mossop, Sam & Joe Mellor. I always said he'd be a future Man of Steel, an incredible talent.

I always think of him as a second row version of Roby in that he's relentless and has an unbelievable engine. He's also massively strong for the size of him and must be a nightmare to play against.

Until he becomes a sweetheart of Eddie and Stevo though he's on a loser if he thinks he'll gain that sort of recognition.

He only has to wait out this season. They are both retiring.

Seems to me there's something intrinsically wrong with the idea that international players need to be 'bigger'. Why?

You think it's wrong so you tell us! IMO it's pretty inevitable that if a coach has a much bigger pool to pick from he will probably lean towards the bigger players, everything else being equal.
I would wager that the average size of a second rower in SL is significantly smaller than the average Kiwi international second rower. If Farrell had to face that prospect week in, week out he wouldn't fare as well as a bigger player would IMO. Not that I have any problem at all with him as a Wigan player. In this league he is superb.

The Kiwi pack is big and very physical. Its a pack of the sort that simply doesn't exist in SL. A smaller forward in SL (and to a lesser extent the NRL) can get by on hard work and running good lines. Its a lot harder to do that when the collisions are bigger and all the opposition forwards are quality.

As I say, I genuinely hope Farrell proves me wrong and has a storming series. As an England fan I want to see us win.

I thought the 2 outstanding players on the pitch were Farrell and Bowen. They both scared the sh*t out of me evry time they got the ball. Also thought that by far the best team on the night lost, so it just shows it's all about taking your chances. The future is very bright for Wiggin and the rest of us can only hope that the NRL and Yawnion keep poaching your talent.

I've had the pleasure of root canal this morning, however reading this has more than eased the pain. Please God let this be true.