When was the squad announced?

I wouldn't want him, he is arrogant and after watching the Wales V England game last year he turned round and said he would have been the best player on the pitch in that game (with the likes of Burgess & co playing)

Billy Slater is the most arrogant player I have seen... but I would have him in the England fullback shirt in a flash if he was eligible

1st june i think

So =#BF00FFGaslight is talking bolloxs as usual. Thanks mate.

While the squad hasn't been announced - requests have been made (and agreed) for Ellis and Burgess to be freed up to fly over so I think it's dead set they will be in

I believe Wests want to see a copy of the insurance for Ellis before they agree to his release. Which the RFL have yet to provide for their viewing.

For a game against France? Ellis and Burgess are certain to play in a major international so why play them in a mid season jamboree? Bloody ridiculous if you ask me.

I think it is a case of the RFL laying down the rules as they have the right to bring any player they want & the ignorant Australian clubs thinking they are above the law. As for insurance it has nothing to do with their clubs (as far as I know) it is a matter between player & RFL. I personaly think it would be a waste of money as England should not need them but the point has to be made that they are England players & as such are available for all England duties (even training camps if the RFL so decide)

Imagine being Sam Burgess or Gareth Ellis and being told you've got to sit on a plane for 24 hours just to play France.

Ridiculous IMO. Both are clearly bankers for the starting 13, why bring them back?

They are English players therfore should play, if they can't except that then dont play for England. But as I have already said I think it is more about setting the ground rules with the whinging Aussie clubs.

So you want the players to be uneccisarily disrupted for an easy game just to spite 2 Aussie clubs?

Well, there's a couple of points I think

Firstly, the England side don't play many games together so any opportunity to build a bit of continuity must we welcomed by the coach... if Ellis and Burgess are bankers in the side then it can't harm them to get used to playing with the halves/hookers

Secondly, if we are serious about building the international game, then every test needs to be taken seriously - it doesn't send much of a signal of intent if we can't be bothered to bring the stars back to play

and... I am sure that Ellis and Burgess will add a few spectators for this game - both in Leigh and on TV

Disrupting who? they are English players it is their duty to play (& their wish I think). It is not spite, the Rhabbitoes have already complained about releasing Burgess & they have to realise that the international game is paramount. The club is not a consideration they knew he was an international when they signed him. & as someone else has pointed out the International game cannot be undermined by not playing the strongest side no matter who the opposition is.

Well, sorry, but i don't see the point in dragging 2 players from the other side of the world to play in a nothing game. If i was either of them i would be pi$$ed off at being called up and i would wager that neither of them really want to be either.

Internationals are the highest form of our game no matter who the opposition they are not nothing games. If people belive that they are not important then there is little hope that our great game will last much longer even in the small geographic area we are stuck in. Just in case you had not noticed 41,000 turned out today to see the Union side play a scratch side. I bet not one player there was pi££ed off playing.

I'll bet not one of the players will of been dragged from the other side of the planet. They will arrive, play severely jetlagged head back to Oz where they will once again be severely jetlagged for the game the week after.

& your point is what? They are not that stupid to think Australia was a short bus ride away when they signed. & a couple of the barbarians where flown in for the games & they only get expenses, they play for the honour of playing against international sides, now thats a concept we could try to adopt. It should also be no bother of the England side if they are jet lagged on return thats their clubs problem which they knew about before offering contracts.;

My point is why make 2 of the first names on the team sheet sit on a plane for 24 hours, have them train while out on their feet, then play while out on their feet before sending them back to Oz where they will play while out on their feet again. They will be playing in the big internationals, fitness permitting, no matter what. They won't be playing at full whack and the chance of them getting injured will be increased. Will you be criticising the UK based players who will inevitably pull out of the game?

Again you miss the point, Internationals are not big small or anything they are the pinacle of our sport & the afore mentioned players are part of Englands team if they are tired when they get back then they should miss out for their club if they are going to be tired when they arrive then they should set off early it is not our concern if an Australian side misses their players for three games. To reiterate internationals over ride club games hear & abroad or at least they should.

Your source of info please!!!!

In answer to Bill Arthers question about the differance between the British and Australian game and could he play in an English side, he answered with, "The standard of the Wales V England is no different in speed and skill to the standard he was playing in Australia.

I beleive that is just fact not arrogance!!!!!

They have very good pathways in Oz, with the 16's, 18's and under 20 comp, followed by the reserve grade which is full of NRL players that don,t make the 17 at the weekend. We chuck our young lads in at the deepend with no real prep to get them ready for the big stage.

How does anyone on here even know how Ellis and Burgess would feel about playing the mid-season Test against France? Anyone who's flown between Australia and France knows it sucks, but are we to form a conclusion that Ellis and Burgess wouldn't want to represent their country based on our own feelings about a flight? It's not very convincing.

both regard playing for england as a massive honour

They'll fly first class, it's no hardship! Do agree its a pointless exercise though.

whilst reading one of the rl papers this week the burgess/ bunnies thing was mentioned, the bunnies decided not to appeal against the player going back to england because burgess had wanted to play his 8th game for england against the french as he saw it as an honour to play for england and the bunnies respected his wishes

and on the widdop theme, england should try and get this lad to play , even if its just the once at this moment in time, with finch leaving the storm at the end of the season, widdop is being lined up as his replacement and will be playing everyweek next year. this lad could be an assett to england in the future.. unless he chooses australia as his team