: Wed Oct 07, 2009 1:00 pm  

Many people's (mine included) first choice favourite to fill one of the England centre spots - Martin Gleeson - has not been picked for the train on squad.

Must improve Shenton's prospects of playing, although Keith Senior has now said he'd be prepared to play if asked. If I was Tony Smith I'd say to 'Keith - thanks but no thanks'. Senior won't play internationally beyond this season so the four nations should be used as an opportunity to try out new players. Similarly Lee Smith who has said he could play for England this autumn, but presumably not beyond as he's taking up a contract in Rugby Union.

[tb]

: Mon Oct 12, 2009 12:37 pm  

And indeed Shenny is now in the full 24-man squad

: Mon Oct 12, 2009 2:49 pm  

tb wrote:

And indeed Shenny is now in the full 24-man squad

Congrats Shenny - much deserved

: Wed Oct 21, 2009 9:28 pm  

congrats to Michael for his inclusion against France... hope he goes well and gets the gig for the big guns!

: Thu Oct 22, 2009 10:47 am  

underground wrote:

congrats to Michael for his inclusion against France... hope he goes well and gets the gig for the big guns!

I'll 2nd that.

Whilst expressing my doubts about Shenton (above) he seems the best centre available from the 24 man squad picked (Lee Smith may appear a greater attacking threat to some supporters but I have my doubts about his defensive abilities, particularly against the big guns).

[tb]

: Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:21 pm  

underground wrote:

congrats to Michael for his inclusion against France... hope he goes well and gets the gig for the big guns!

let's hope he ball actually gets fed out to his side

: Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:45 pm  

Cecil B wrote:

I'll 2nd that.

Whilst expressing my doubts about Shenton (above) he seems the best centre available from the 24 man squad picked (Lee Smith may appear a greater attacking threat to some supporters but I have my doubts about his defensive abilities, particularly against the big guns).

And they are BIG guns. I'd have gone Shenton/Bridge myself. At least Bridge is 6 foot and more than 12 1/2 stone wet...Oh, and he's not leaving the game in a few weeks

: Fri Oct 23, 2009 7:58 pm  

Well, the French are winning at half time. We've got to do better or we don't stand a chance against NZ and Oz.

: Sat Oct 24, 2009 3:59 pm  

In a far from convincing performance by England I don't think Shenton looked any better or worse than most of his team mates. Though he must take a fair bit of responsibility for the 1st French try when he failed to put a decent tackle on Greenshiels allowing him to offload to the tryscorer.

He barely got an opportunity to run with the ball, receiving it only occasionally and invariably in a position with the defence right on top of him, though he's had plenty of practise of that with some of the passes sent his way by the likes of Goldy this season!

I'm caught in two minds about whether he should play next week. On the one hand I don't see why he should be singled out to be dropped on the back of last nights effort and it's not as if there's a compelling alternative to put in his place.

On the other, Australia's current test centres - Inglis and Hodges - are 2 of the best they've had in a long time. Remember how Shenton went against Senior at Headingly this year and imagine that multiplied fivefold!

All professional sportspeople are incredibly positive and there's no doubt Shenton will have it in his head he would love the challenge of facing up to the best in the game. But next week could be one of those games where anyone not selected for England could improve their future prospects by not being associated with the game!

: Sun Oct 25, 2009 5:57 am  

Look at Shenton record of playing against Senior scored loads trys against him and believe it or not but Inglish known in ARL for not been the best tackler and micky has an even advantage over Inglis he faster than him and Inglis will not be used to that.