Fiji just announced a 33-man training squad. Lovadua is in but Evans and Satae aren't. Are they having operations? Or are they just not as highly rated as Korben Sims?

I think I might still be supporting Fiji though. With 1 player they will probably be most FC side in the comp.

Sims can’t be in he’s retired

Lovodua is still in a knee brace and Satae is going back home to visit family.

Does Sims ban still count?

Wonder how far Mitch was off a potential call up? Fiji have some monster outside backs

Mitch wasn't far off at all



Well done on the call up. Gutted the Fiji group game got moved from the MKM

Lovodua drops out due to injury.

Is Mitch our only representative at the WC?

Thought Sao mightve had an outside chance of a place in the Samoa team.

Samoa are looking strong.
Poor England team and cant see us beating Samoa

Shows how poor our squad is that we don't even have anyone pretending to be Irish/Scottish/Welsh this time. Things can only get better!

Agree think we'll finish 2nd in our group.

Looking at the draw should be Fiji V NZ in the quarter final game played in Hull

England is a poor squad, but not too much choice with the players injured, a few injuries and we look weak, whilst Aus, just have top players ready to come in.

I don't see the fuss with Mcclorum, think there a few better hookers than him, I wouldn't have him at Hull, offers zero threat with the ball, I'd have Leeming.

Smith over Sneyd too.

Very pleased we don’t have many players taking part in the World Cup.

Means we won’t have them picking up injuries and hopefully all the fully fit players will return for pre season together rather than in dribs and drabs as seems to have been the case in recent years?

Putting club before country has always been the RL way, that’s why Rugby Onion makes so much money, emphasis on internationals.

Looking forward to watching Tonga and Samoa play. Both teams look a handful.

I’d genuinely consider us at 5th best on paper. NZ, Aus, Samoa and Tonga are all probably better then us on paper. Even Fiji have a host of quality players who would give us a good go. Ireland don’t have a bad side either, I think we will struggle to get to the semis and would be amazed if we managed to get to the final.

I’d love to see more hull players in the comp, representing your country in a WC is the pinnacle of sporting achievements.

Have to say I'm struggling to get excited about the World Cup.

Whether that's the weakness of the England squad, the lack of Hull players in the tournament or just a general sense of apathy at the end of another disappointing season, I'm not sure. Probably a combination of all three.

Only till recently do I feel excited for it, will probably do both games at MKM and might go to a couple England games at last minute. But have to say ticket prices are quite ridiculous. 55 quid to sit behind the sticks at st James park is way too much

There's still some £30 tickets left for England behind the posts at St James'

Aus squad announced, with have Sneyd and McCollrum at as out 7 and 9, they leave out Hynes, Edwards Cook and Cleary.

Cleary, Hunt, Munster, DCE. Plus Burton and Wighton can play halves...scary stuff

Amazed Cleary isn't in, even someone like Adam Reynolds would be our best half and there are loads in front of him.

The depth they have is scary.

Saying that, should be a good tournament, as normally you would say for certain, England, Aus and NZ, would be free of the semi finals, not sure that is the case with Samoa and Tonga having very good sides, PNG and Fiji should be competitive too.

Shame the likes of Walmsley, Lomax and Percival are out.

Think Cleary is in the squad Dave



Really looking forward to see how the Pacific nations do. Samoa, Tonga, PNG even Fiji have exciting squads

Yes, he is, thought I'd read he isn't but think they were talking about Edwards.

Totally agree

Actually looking forward to world cup be the most competitive with likes of samoa having great squads

Australia are good as always but players like slater, cronk, Smith, inglis are better than any of their replacements

Tedesco cleary couldn't even get in the squad until they retired ( tedesco played for Italy in 2017 )

I'm also looking forward to the World Cup and watching the best 1 and 7 in the world at present.
James Tedesco and Nathan Cleary.