Actually I can now see why they've gone with only two wingers. The chance of Hall and McGilvary getting any decent ball outside the two chosen centres is minimal. Saints fans on Red Vee have moaned often enough on here about Percivals passing/decision making and I've said much the same about Watkins for ages.

wouldnt have taken Lomax, Tomkins or Farrell. Its a joke that Shenton and Eden arent going. Form counts for nothing with the internationals still I see.

It doesn’t really matter anyway, Australia will win it without lifting a finger.

I agree with everything that Rogues wrote. Tomkins proved in that game at Saints that he is a far better player than Lomax. Can't believe he has been omitted.

Centre I get, we've got players who can fill in but I just don't understand not taking any wing cover. I get your point that those two have good injury records but you just don't push your luck. We've got 12 lads to cover the prop and back row positions (of which there will probably be 8 in a match day squad) but only 2 players to cover 2 wing positions. It may not be as physical the position but i'd still rather take one less forward and have some cover.

Tomkins is done as a top quality player.

He whole game was based around speed and agility, he has lost both of them due to injuries.

At his best he did nothing at international level, in his current state he would be a liability.

Lomax isn't exactly a world class fullback either, but it's not a travesty that Tomkins wasn't selected.

you cant be serious??

Tomkins nor Lomax deserve to go but as many on here i am glad that Sam isnt going so he can get a pre season in him. We are struggling for the FB position in the absence of Hardaker. What a divvy. How Eden cant get a call up is an outrage. I know he has had it pretty easily to be harsh in just having to finish off the Cas moves but he has done it with roaring success and scored a pon full of tries. I understand why Hall and McGilvarry have been picked. Size and strength but not to have Eden in there as at least cover is pretty scandalous. As someone has mentioned even Tom Davies would have been worth taking. His power, strength and aggression at bringing the ball out would have been an asset in case of any injuries. Got a funny feeling this decision is going to bite Bennett on the aris. How can he not think there is a chance of his wingers getting injured against the tough tackling tanks they will be coming up against.

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.