It has been since the emergence of Super Duper League, summer rugby has killed the game

I fully agree with you, he is a great prospect. He deserves his call-up IMO.

But Chris Bridge? He should be nowhere near that squad. IMO



[sizePut IMO in there so you can't complain [/size

Could not agree more Im sure we will get all the same old cries of how the southern based media do not take Rugby league seriously. The fact is though why should they? how can they allow 2 lads who chose to play for Ireland now switch to England it would never happen in any other sport. The RFL are a joke and until there is major changes the game will never be taken seriously.

Nail on the head. I remember as a student in Leeds back in 1990 returning from the Old Trafford test (the one in which Meninga scored in the last minute following a Ricky Stuart break from his own half) and being inundated with requests for help in getting tickets for the last game at Elland Road. Most of these requests came from people who knew nothing about the game but wanted to be part of an ashes decider. Bear in mind this was long before the time of Sky sports, the internet or the extent of media coverage we see these days.

Since then we have seen international rugby league systematically dismantled to the point that it is now a lauging stock. Still, if iit means a couple of extra Sky games between the likes of Ireland and Scotland I suppose that's OK.

The sooner we reintroduce a three game Ashes series the better. We need to get back to showing the highest possible product and the game will sell itself.

It wasn't the RFL who granted them permission to switch. It was the international federation.

Apart from that I agree with you.

Can anybody ripping Chris Bridge name any better right side centres for England, behind Gleeson?

This for me is the reason he is in. The competition is hardly tough. Behind Gleeson, I can't think of any.

BTW, compare Gleeson's stats from last year and Bridg's from this year, and they are very similar. Only Senior has more assists than Bridge from the centre this year.

Exactly when it comes down to it hes the 2nd best option we have? The 100th player in line for the Australian right centre would probably be better than what we've got. It just highlights how weak the English national game is, its a shame. However i do rate Harrison and if the likes of him, Tomkins, Shenton, Owen, Eastmond (if he doesnt go to RU) Myler, Ainscough, etc live their careers to their potential then we wont be far off um in the future. The present standard however when compared with Australia is embarrassing.

That bum mathers would do a better job than chris 'thug' bridge

What a joke!

EDIT- Shenton and atkins are 100x player he is

It's bull!!

The likes of Dale Ferguson and Joe Westermann should be picked instead of Bridge. I quite like Harrison.

Had Atkins not pulled out because of injury 'the thug' Bridge wouldn't of got in the 'train-on' squad, not the 'official' squad, the 'train-on' squad.

Taking away the facts of these lads swapping and changing countries are they actually good enough to be making an England squad?

I believe Harrison is getting to that point as he keeps improving but Bridge I'd say he's a way off and we really must be struggling if he can get a place in the squad.

The inclusion of Bridge has again got me worried about Tony Smiths selection abilities as an international coach. The guy took 4 props and 9 backrowers to a World cup and packed his side with players from 2 clubs. He now looks like he'll pack the side with players from 3 clubs regardless of abilities because he knows these guys on a more personal level(well 2 sets anyway).

Brough left out yet Bridge included is crazy stuff imo. We need a halfback with a clever kicking game not an average centre with behavour problems.