England World Cup Squad Named The England squad to travel to Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guineap for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup was named at lunchtime today and came hot on the heels of the news that one of its bright stars, Castelford’s Zak Hardaker, was definitely out of the World Cup and facing an uncertain future after failing a drugs test. England’s World Cup campaign kicks off with a game against the hosts Australia at 20:05 (UK) on Friday the 27th October at AAMI Park in Melbourne, followed by group games against Lebanon and France. READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

England World Cup Squad Named The England squad to travel to Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guineap for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup was named at lunchtime today and came hot on the heels of the news that one of its bright stars, Castelford’s Zak Hardaker, was definitely out of the World Cup and facing an uncertain future after failing a drugs test. England’s World Cup campaign kicks off with a game against the hosts Australia at 20:05 (UK) on Friday the 27th October at AAMI Park in Melbourne, followed by group games against Lebanon and France. READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

4 Warrington players and no wakey players

Only Two wingers, only two out and out , squad looks very unbalanced. Kevin Brown ... Really. How does Lomax get in ahead of Shaul ... oh I forgot he is a centrally paid player so has to play no matter what. Heighington is a joke selection surely. No Watts.

Rubbish selection IMO, we'll be lucky to make it into the semi final

For me, if this squad fail to bring back the cup, I'd like to see the lot of them dropped including the whole coaching system. Put McDermott in charge and a couple from Powell/Chester/Wane/Radford as assistants. Start from the bottom and work back up with a brand new squad of 50-60 younger players who will be able to form a team in preparation for the next world cup. Give them plenty of training opportunities, and friendlies against other local countries

Proves what we already knew.

Bennett watches few, if any, Super League games.

Awful picks and glaring omissions.

Most of them are expected.
The Warrington boys and Heighinton are the weird ones for me.
The rest are ok.
Obviously it have put Hardaker in before this weekend.

I'm sure we must all agree that Ashurst should be in there, especially ahead of Heighinton and Currie.

Luckily I have barely any interest in England RL, even less now.

Come on Ireland

Once again the lack of Wakefield players will make watching England fall flat on their face more enjoyable.

Yep, I shall be supporting Ireland in this campaign, I'm sure Liam O'finn and Scott McGrix will do the club proud

All it does it seems is to reward failure

It does seem it is a closed shop, what on earth is Kevin Brown doing there?

This squad is embarrassing. It is sheer favouritism and almost brings the game into disrepute (if it wasn't already). Non performers, favourites and "Aussie" has beens. Total joke and the RFL wonder why they can't get a crowd for our internationals.

Kevin Brown

I bet them Aussies are shecking in their boots

International RL does absolutely nothing for me, particularly England. ever since McNamara was given the position as manager/coach. England selections have just been a joke and a case of jobs for the boys. The inclusion of the Warrington contingent is nothing less than scandalous from a non-performing team. As for Kevin Brown, Well!!! I was certain Ashurst would have been included.
Roll on next Super League season.

Quote ="Willzay"I'm sure we must all agree that Ashurst should be in there, especially ahead of Heighinton and Currie.'" You, Carney and I agree www.skysports.com/rugby-league/n ... ing-points

Quote ="Willzay"I'm sure we must all agree that Ashurst should be in there, especially ahead of Heighinton and Currie.'" You, Carney and I agree www.skysports.com/rugby-league/n ... ing-points

sick of seeing the same old

It's not a rubbish squad
There are just some weird ones thrown in.

Clearly he likes Heighington. Personally I don't rate him but based on the last time out we need disciplined players as much as we need skilful ones.

The fact that he didn't pick Tompkins shows he isn't blindly picking on reputation.

I would have picked Sneyd over Brown but Brown brings more versatility.

I never thought Ashurst would get in. He isn't competing with Whitehead or Burgess. They are different types of second row. He's competing with Bateman for the type of player he is and that's a tough call....especially as Bateman covers centre.

Gale Williams and Widdop are hard to criticise.
Burgess Graham Whitehead Hogson all deserve their place.

He can't watch much NRL passed his own team if he's picked Heighington. He's been average at best this year and that's been kind. Ashurst is a far better player, not that I thought he'd get in.

Personally I don't think he's doing Ben Currie any favours picking him at the moment. The lad is obviously quality and he eventually came back at the end of the season for 4 games, after a really long period out of the game. But is that both enough for selection and enough for him to be ready for international RL.

I'm pleased for Warmsley, the guy's a beast and an excellent Prop. The lad even tore it up for Saints. when others around him weren't performing under Cunningham. Tough call between Taylor and Watts for that final place and I'd have had Watts in for Hill anyway. Saying that the Pack looks soild though as usual, but also as usual we look light and bit vunerable in the backs.

We just look light in numbers in the backs, at and wing. Just 2 specialists in each place going, pretty crazy imo. Personally I'd have taken Shenton as well and at least one more winger. With BJB being unlucky not to have been a back up.

I don't really understand how Brown made the squad, especially after the season Sneyd has had. Also feel underwhelmed by the selection of Ratchdford, especially how average he's been this season. He seems to be there just for his utility value and the fact Bennet worked with him last time, same as a few others. Also with Hardaker not going, Shaul would be the next best pick for the squad imo.

I'm not going to get on the Shaul bandwagon I'm afraid. Lomax is the better choice, I think Shaul would get battered by the Aussies.

Had a moan earlier about it but it's since been pointed out that Wayne Bennett does know a thing or two about rugby league. I'll be getting behind them when the time comes.

I don't really have much of a problem with Lomax now Hardaker is out but would have taken Shaul anyway because he's easily been the 2nd best FB in SL. Thinking about it, how many times as Lomax played FB for Saints this year.

Wayne Bennett obviously knows a ton about RL and no one eveer agrees on the touring squad. But imo picking a 35 year old Aussie Heighington, who's done bugger all when he's played for England over others, makes me doubt how much SL he watches. He maybe going off the help of his assistants but still they're are a few strange calls, I mean seriously Brown LOL. Then that's before we have a few injuries in the back line & we'll be putting square pegs in round holes because we've not taken any back up or wingers & end up playing Bateman & Currie at & god knows who we'd put on the wing.

tonga I think will beat NZ AND ENGLAND

Think the squad is appalling.
Ratchford and brown i couldnt believe it. Watts and Shaul should be in without doubt.
Hall is slow as a snail cannot believe Eden isnt in and shenton. Makes me wonder if Bennett has watched any Super League. Think Bateman has had a v poor year also.

Wouldn't bother too much about it they'll soon be back home!

Can't agree regarding Hall. For starters he's not that slow, he's great in the air and above all he's one of the very few English players to have proven himself time and time again at this level.

Those suggesting Eden need their bumps feeling IMHO.Running in a shed load of tries at SL level is nothin like International RL - Eden would get slaughtered.

I got the Brown thing but I can't for the life of me see whats wrong with Ratchford's selection, he's a quality player who gives lots of options.