Applying (crudely and slightly inaccurately) Occam's Razor, that might be because he's not good enough. I might be wrong, but when it comes to assessing a #9, I'd take Lowes's view over mine any day.

McShane's WCC appearance and new contract suggest it isn't that simple.

The fact is he's been given games but never kept his place. If leeds rated him they would never have got lunt in.

McShane didn't get any game-time from the bench away at Wigan and in a comfortable situation last week V Leigh only appeared to get on near the end after McGuire's hamstring tightened.

All things being equal - I'd imagine that would be fairly difficult for a player in McShane's position to understand.

My opinion, fwiw, is he isn't good enough. But as has been side lowes and BM are far better judges of a player than i'll ever be

McDermott just doesn't seem to rate him that much.

Like on footy manager when you have players with decent stats you just don't like playing them for whatever reason.

McShane would do well to move to a club where he can be a regular so he can further his career.

Whilst generally I'd bow to the coach's decision in any individual circumstance - and agree that there is every chance he just isn't good enough - the way he was used last week at Leigh was decidedly odd. Bringing him on with 8 minutes to go just seemed like a pisstake really. The game was never in doubt after about 45 minutes (arguably much earlier) - it would have made sense at least to have him on from the start of the second half. There were probably reasons as both Burrow and Lunt were being brought up to speed in one way or another, but still, his presence on the bench must have been for a reason and bringing him on would hardly have cost us the game. I just couldn't see what McDermott was doing - but then again his use of the bench has always been a dark art with which I have struggled to come to grips.

The whole McShane debate is a bit of a puzzle for me.

Will he play - won't he play?

On the bench gets bit-part cameo, sub not used, starts a couple, out of the team for a while, back in, when he plays well doesn't seem to have a bearing the following week when he's not playing. I can't work it out.

It's impossible to judge on we see just in front of us as a fan. There may be more than meets the eye. If not I can see Mcshanes frustration.

The use of Burrow at hooker has been a massive blocker for McShane, but the arrival of Lunt probably speaks volumes in McShanes listing on the pecking order. Kudos to Lunt he has a point to prove and seems to be doing that. Every man for themselves in this short career we call rugby league.

I imagine McShane was intended to be 18th man, until Watkins was pulled from the 17.

McShane has been sniffing round the first team since 2008 but has not been able to make a significant impact. This may be because he's not been give enough game time or simply that he's not up to the job - I don't know.

I don't think it's because 'his face doesn't fit' or at least it wasn't, otherwise he wouldn't have secured the #9 shirt and a healthy contract. Danny Buderus must think he's OK if he's trying to find a club for him in Oz.