Roby has been outstanding for many years now and it would be extremely harsh to drop the guy who has, over a sustained period been England's top no 9.
Others have certainly pushed him all the way and may be "better" but, this is only based on club form and the other candidates may not manage the step up ??

It will be interesting whether we go for tried and tested or "form" players.

Clark back to his best this year

Technically his overall game is better than Houghton, Clark and Hodgson, alas the last 2 seasons injuries have effected his performances and its probably correct in him being 3rd/4th hooker on the England international front.

I'm pretty sure Roby will be in the squad but i would bet as a Saints fan you would like to see him miss out and rest his body, as a player who is almost 31 and puts his body through the mill for 80 minutes every week and has for a lot of seasons now it's bound to start showing soon.

It's great we have plenty of quality in the hooking department, i don't think any of the obvious four will let us down if selected.

I would think it might depend on how Wayne Bennet wants to operate on the hooking front, if he wants to use 2 hookers in the game to set the defence early on and build pressure later in attack then Houghton and Clark might be the better option, if he wants an 80 min hooker then that could be Hodgson.
You are right our hooker options are pretty good quality wise. Roby had an elbow "clean out ' recently and still has the odd ankle problem but he will still put his hand up if needed.

How do you work out that Roby has a better overall game than Hodgson? Just asking because he has been sensational in the NRL, including having a superb kicking game (which I don't recall Roby having) and being able to play as a running forward when needed. If anything I'd say Roby has always been a bit one dimensional in his play (albeit very good at what he does) and that Hodgson is a far superior all-round player.

You mustn't have watched Roby if you think he's one dimensional. He kicks regularly from dummy half, but he did boot one out on the full tonight!

I don't watch the NRL so can only go off the hype with Hodgson.

For me Daryl Clark has been the best hooker I've seen this year.

Hodgson & Clark for me.

Houghton desperately unlucky as he'd had a top season, I just don't feel he has that step up to Internationals in him.

Roby I don't think looked with it for the back end of the season, after carrying the side for the first half. Undoubted class, but probably on the decline. If we're thinking World Cup, it has to be Hodgson & Clark.

Hogdson should start. Clark or Roby off the bench.

Clark was a league above last night.

Hodgson and Clark. TBH I'd play one of them at scrum half (probably Hodgson because he has the better kicking game) just so they could both be in the team.

yes i agree I would consider Hodgson to SH.