Which was one tactic more than you had under Powell

Lomax and Percival out of the England squad

It’s a good job you don’t, you would be penniless. What you are good at is making stupid remarks though, I would award you a gold medal for that.

Meanwhile our lads will play and probably get injured for preseason, whilst Saints rest up and get plenty of time working with a new coach.

We're a bunch of absolute mugs,

100% agree

Every pre-season, Warrington are the best side in the world. We know this because Karl Fitzpatrick tells us every year.

Signing a plethora of 30+ year old props will only make them stronger because none of them have disciplinary issues and are bound to be injury free all season at that age. Add in Ratchford in the halves and a full back who openly admits he is in England because he can't get a gig back home and it's a recipe for success.

Edit :- Oh and a failure of second rowers and a marquee half who had one good game, against Toulouse. At least the calming influence of Powell has rid the club of all the 'bad apples' though.

It should be the pinnacle of every players career to play for their country. Good players will learn and improve for the experience, whilst established players will be able to compete with the best and stake their claim for being termed world class players. Without being able to prove that you can perform on the biggest stage (either at international level or in the NRL) SL players will be merely be placed in the box labelled good clubmen. Sadly, for Lomax and Percival, that’s where they will remain unless they are afforded another opportunity. The likes of Welsby will be truly tested and he may very well prove that he is at the level of Tedesco, Cleary and company.

Saints have 5 in the squad, and if all were named in the 17 it wouldn't be a surprise. Wigan have three and will be lucky if one of them plays, Cooper and KPP might get a token game against Greece.

Even with my cherry and white glasses on Liam Farrell would've been the only Wigan player to start for England, Bateman's been solid for Wigan but nowhere near his levels before his stint in the NRL.
Marshall as injury cover in the three quarters wouldn't have been unreasonable.
Once again the lack of competition in the halves and three quarters in SL is laid bare with that squad selection.

Can't argue with any of that. Two centres in the squad and one of them has played back row all year. He might be considering Bateman for one of the centre spots given the backrow depth.

marshy should be in over hall all day long

I'm surprised that Gildart wasn't in the squad once Percival dropped out.
Obviously out of his depth in the NRL but still far better than say Bateman at centre.

Neither are ideal but I'd pick Bateman at centre over Gildart every time if having to choose. Gildart hopelessly out of his depth in the NRL last year.

Was he?

LOL

I’m not surprised as I haven’t seen him have a good game in years, SL or NRL.

Bateman over Gildart every time for me.