Why people persist in thinking Watkins is international class (or even close to being as good as Shenton) is beyond me.



Same with Hall really, has his form been any good since the treble-winning season?

Quote ="giddyupoldfella"Totally disagree, the more the better I say. I'm hoping our front row of Taylor, Houghton and Watts are all in ">there.'" Thats the attitude I take. International game should take preference, the longer it doesnt the longer we stay behind union and the less appealing the game is for players to stay. The English RU lads get 22k per test! Ridiculous money and we should be aspiring to that level at international level

Quote ="giddyupoldfella"Totally disagree, the more the better I say. I'm hoping our front row of Taylor, Houghton and Watts are all in ">there.'" Thats the attitude I take. International game should take preference, the longer it doesnt the longer we stay behind union and the less appealing the game is for players to stay. The English RU lads get 22k per test! Ridiculous money and we should be aspiring to that level at international level

Quote ="giddyupoldfella"We have a squad and could still put 13 players on the pitch. We let Pritchard and Manu go last year before a challenge cup game away to Saints, we took them to the cleaners. For the game to prosper, the international game must prosper, and losing two or three players for a game or two, isn't the end of the world. And it's good experience for those players in the progression of their careers. As long has the dates don't coincide with some big game when things are on the line, then I'm all for international rugby taking priority, It wouldn't make me any less of a Hull FC fan, I'd still love ">them.'" but we could also lose sika manu and mahe (depending on his nationality!), so that would be grounds for postponement of our game if our 3 english lads go too, meaning another midweek game which is what we dont want

Quote ="giddyupoldfella"We have a squad and could still put 13 players on the pitch. We let Pritchard and Manu go last year before a challenge cup game away to Saints, we took them to the cleaners. For the game to prosper, the international game must prosper, and losing two or three players for a game or two, isn't the end of the world. And it's good experience for those players in the progression of their careers. As long has the dates don't coincide with some big game when things are on the line, then I'm all for international rugby taking priority, It wouldn't make me any less of a Hull FC fan, I'd still love ">them.'" but we could also lose sika manu and mahe (depending on his nationality!), so that would be grounds for postponement of our game if our 3 english lads go too, meaning another midweek game which is what we dont want

Quote ="giddyupoldfella"We have a squad and could still put 13 players on the pitch. We let Pritchard and Manu go last year before a challenge cup game away to Saints, we took them to the cleaners. For the game to prosper, the international game must prosper, and losing two or three players for a game or two, isn't the end of the world. And it's good experience for those players in the progression of their careers. As long has the dates don't coincide with some big game when things are on the line, then I'm all for international rugby taking priority, It wouldn't make me any less of a Hull FC fan, I'd still love ">them.'" Saturday, 6 May is the test and we play Widnes away on the Sunday. In current form I'd like to think this wouldn't be a problem...however we all know things can change. The week after is CC weekend where anything can happen. The thought of our best players being jet lagged when we start our retention campaign doesn't fill me with joy if I'm honest.

Quote ="giddyupoldfella"We have a squad and could still put 13 players on the pitch. We let Pritchard and Manu go last year before a challenge cup game away to Saints, we took them to the cleaners. For the game to prosper, the international game must prosper, and losing two or three players for a game or two, isn't the end of the world. And it's good experience for those players in the progression of their careers. As long has the dates don't coincide with some big game when things are on the line, then I'm all for international rugby taking priority, It wouldn't make me any less of a Hull FC fan, I'd still love ">them.'" Saturday, 6 May is the test and we play Widnes away on the Sunday. In current form I'd like to think this wouldn't be a problem...however we all know things can change. The week after is CC weekend where anything can happen. The thought of our best players being jet lagged when we start our retention campaign doesn't fill me with joy if I'm honest.

Quote ="nottinghamtiger"Gil dart has been going well at left centre too. Certainly better than ">Watkins.'" Watkins plays right centre

Quote ="nottinghamtiger"Gil dart has been going well at left centre too. Certainly better than ">Watkins.'" Watkins plays right centre

I'd give up Watkins as a bad job at international level. Surely he would have shown us something by now if it was going to click for him. An out of position Hardaker or Currie would likely offer more, or Percival. I like Gildart but not sure he would be getting talked about for international honours if he played for anyone else.