Any members of the England squad that are involved in the Grand Final will not play against France, meaning that it's almost a guarantee that Johnstone and Lyne will be Wakefield's first England internationals since Ryan Atkins in 2009! - Great chance for both to stake a claim for there spot.

It's fair to say Max is well behind Shaul. Batch is steeping up form the academy side who toured Oz two years ago with Oledzski (maybe others?) so think they're identified talent in the England set up.

Fantastic to see senior representative honours for our players.

Dont know what Ashurst has to do to be selected outstanding consistency

Does anyone know of any criteria that could possibly stop a player being selected apart from the obvious?

He has and its unfortunate for him that time is probably not on his side at 28. Been shouted down elsewhere but would you honestly pick him ahead of Bateman, Elliot Whitehead or Sam Burgess? Fair enough argument he could have had Greenwood's place but maybe Greenwood is seen as a future option for 2021 world cup

Yeah, I think his age is the only thing stopping him from selection to the knights. They do tend to go for guys who are up and coming like Batch and 26 looks to be about the maximum age they've gone for, Ashurst at 28 seems to be that little bit too old.

Sam Burgess has now pulled out of the squad through having operations, they will announce his replacement over the weekend.
Possibly MA?

You'd think he'd be in the mix certainly, based on Super League form he should be. McMeekin went to the world cup but generally not hit the standards of 2017 from what i've seen though generally does a job on us. Not sure who else would be in consideration?

Scott Taylor from Hull would be my guess for the replacement, went well in Denver.

Scott Taylor is an out and out prop though isn't he?

Yeah he is as far as i'm aware, just seems like the sort of thing Bennett would do. Fingers crossed Ashurst gets the call or somebody from the knights gets promoted and he takes their place.

It absolutely baffles me that MA is in the top two second rowers in the league (dream team), yet cant get in to EITHER national representative team. I get that the England 2nd team is more for the youth and if theres an age limit then that's fair enough, but how hasnt be been picked for the England team anyway!? He wouldnt start, youd expect Elliott Whitehead and Bateman but surely worth a squad place

i thought the same with Kirmo a few years when he was in the dream team but not for England, we need Gareth Southgate to pick our team, he looks to be picking on form rather than reputation etc

As mentioned on Facebook I think FC will probably ask Taylor to decline considering the tough season he’s had with no preseason rest.

I would love to see Ashurst get the call. His development into a quality second rower has been fantastic. Never mind France I would like to see him tested against the best

I like Ashurst a lot but it really shows the difference between club and country when we think he might have a chance of replacing Burgess.
There is a massive gap between the two players.