Wigan Warriors • England Selection

Just to say that I don't defend Saints over everything, there are a lot of things I disagree with that we do and I've made my feelings known on that.

However in this instance, initially I could fully understand the thoughts of other fans, in particular Wigan who provided a large number of the team.

It's no secret that Woolf and Wane didn't get on. Rightly or wrongly Woolf put Saints first over the international game and his focus was 100% on Saints. Wellens is a different matter, he worked with Wane as England assistant for years and they get on really well.

When I look at the withdrawals, we already know that Makinson, Walmsley and Percival were injured and hadn't played for Saints the week before. Knowles was suspended. Welsby played so is not applicable.

That leaves Lees, Lomax and Dodd. I think that Wane and Wellens came to a compromise. Lomax for whatever reason isn't fully committed and will be too old for the next WC anyway. Williams is clearly the No. 1 choice at 6 and is the captain.

Dodd has been poor this season and Smith was deserving of his opportunity given his form. Lees was the surprise omission as he has been outstanding the past few weeks. However given Wellens comments and the minutes that Lees has played then I think he has come to an agreement with Wane. Lees has clearly been playing with needles the past few weeks purely down to the injuries we have had.

Lets be honest the best of the lot is Welsby and he was probably the one player that Wellens wanted to rest and not risk an injury but he was allowed to play.

Wane's comments were interesting when asked about the withdrawals. He doesn't strike me as someone who says what people want to hear yet had no issues and even said that "Saints have been doing it tough". Previously he has had no problem with calling out SL coaches and expressing his disappointment that they are not supporting the international game.