By their extraordinary decision to not do any media commitments during his week in England, Wayne Bennett and the RFL guaranteed that the country’s rugby league team stayed in hibernation while the rugby union, football and cricket teams fought over our screen time, airwaves and column inches. As well as taking in three Super League games during Brisbane Broncos’ bye week in the NRL, Bennett had a meeting with what we must presume are the players he’s considering for his initial England squad. The RFL released the list of 31 names well after the event had happened. It was all very cloak and dagger and quite bizarre given that this was the one mid-season opportunity to promote the England team – and the Four Nations tournament – in the autumn.

Among the usual faces were a few newcomers whose form has earned them a chance, such as Wigan’s destructive giant winger Dom Manfredi, Saints duo Joe Greenwood and Mark Percival, and the man leading Hull towards a first title since 1983, half-back Marc Sneyd. The Guru clearly believes in both class and form, not only giving opportunities to exciting young talent but also letting the demoralised Leeds contingent know that all is not lost. Stevie Ward’s inclusion, having been out injured since IN/OUT was a children’s party song and openly discussing the mental challenge that has brought, was surely based on long-term ambitions for the gifted young Leeds utility. Widnes star Kevin Brown, persona non grata under Steve McNamara, was finally brought back into the England fold, as was Saints’ forward Kyle Amor, who could – or maybe should – be playing for Ireland in their World Cup qualifiers in October instead.

Airlie Birds full-back Jamie Shaul missed out, with Bennett sticking with established England custodians Zak Hardaker and Sam Tomkins (and back-up Stefan Ratchford), as did team-mate Danny Houghton, whose chances of winning an England cap appear to have been quashed for good, Daryl Clark clearly the third hooker in Bennett’s plans. Houghton may yet appear on the world stage, though. Castleford second rower Mike McMeeken must have come close to being called for an audience with Wayne, Bennett preferring to put his plans across to Brett Ferres and veteran Ben Westwood, who will be 35 by the time the tournament starts.

The future lies with McMeeken, 22, who is grabbing the eye with explosive runs, fast feet and clever handling. Unlike Denny Solomona, his team-mate first at London and now Cas, McMeeken always stood out for the Broncos, despite learning to play at Super League level in a side that was getting stuffed every other week. London fans are less surprised by his continued rise than the emergence of Solomona as a Super League superstar.

For a family from Fleet in Hampshire, the McMeekens are having quite an impact on rugby league. Mike’s really big brother Dave – known as “Monster” when he was playing - is starring off the field on the other side of the world. Having started Farnborough Falcons while still a teenager, McMeeken major has gone from organising social touch events in St Albans to this week becoming New Zealand RL national talent manager. He earned this influential role after holding several development posts since moving to the island of the long white cloud. More power to the McMeeken boys.

Clubcall: Salford Red Devils

As we await the verdict on Salford’s appeal against their six-point deduction, which will determine whether they are in the top eight or playing-off with the best of the Championship in the Qualifiers, word is out that their AJ Bell Stadium home could soon become a somewhat busier location. A 42-acre plot next to the ground is being sold to IKEA, ensuring that there will finally be more parking and more food outlets at the rather isolated ground. There will also be a behemoth of a blue blot on the landscape. Meanwhile, Salford Council have transferred another million quid to the stadium company (which they co-own) taking their total investment in the ground to £25m. Only £1m has been repaid in the last four years. Salford attracted less than 2000 for the visit of Huddersfield last week - the 30-31 thriller being one of five games decide d by a point or two across the divisions - which must make the Doctor despair. However, with Sale Sharks attracting bigger crowds than Salford, revenues at the ground are up and the venue is starting to get a bit more life to it.

Foreign quota

Seeing Mike Cooper (after three hugely successful years with St George-Illawarra), Ben Garcia, Joe Burgess and Greg Eden (having failed to establish themselves at Penrith, Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos, respectively) all announcing their returns to their previous Super League clubs, you could be fooled into thinking the exodus to the NRL is over. Rather, speculation suggests that they will be replaced by far more Brits this winter, led by Zak Hardaker and up to a dozen others. That will add to a continually changing player demographic in the NRL.

This week I found some research from my visit to Australia in 2003. Of the 360 players on NRL rosters then, 60% (217) were born in New South Wales and just 20% (77) in Queensland. No wonder the Maroons won just three of 14 Origin series until the tide turned in 2006. Only 10% were born in New Zealand (39 players) – this a time when the Kangaroos always beat the Kiwis – with the rest from around the Pacific (just 13 islanders), just 10 from elsewhere in Australia, two from Lebanon and a couple of Poms (Adrian Morley and Keith Mason). The Kiwi influx, Pacific diaspora and British recruitment has seen that change enormously and should pay dividends at the Rugby League World Cup in 2017.

Goal-line drop-out

Watching Oldham’s first-half capitulation at London on Sunday it was hard to believe they were same side who won at Hull KR a couple of months ago. They trailed 34-0 at the break, having conceded try after easy try down the slope, so my Dad and I were expecting more of the same when we took up a position near their tryline for the second half. To the credit of highly rated coach Scott Naylor, his side rallied impressively, scoring three second-half tries to London’s four. They went from looking like a team resigned to relegation to one who could battle their way out of trouble. It was a blessed relief for Roughyeds full-back Richard Lepori, the busiest man in Ealing, who spent the first half attempting to stem the Broncos tide. It was definitely a case of Senso Unico for the Italy international! His quick feet and bravery caught the eye – along with his 1980s style headband – and showed why Italy coach Paul Broadbent considered him a lynchpin of their side last season.

Fifth and last

Until Jo Cox’s horrific murder last week, most folk won’t have heard of Birstall. I’ve been there to visit my mate, Nathan Graham, the former Bradford Bulls and Scotland full-back. Cox came from the heart of rugby league land, worked closely with the Batley club and was a member of the All Party Parliamentary Rugby League Group. When the appalling situation unfolded last Thursday afternoon, Graham was in Edinburgh, coaching Scotland Students at the Universities RL Four Nations, assisted by fellow former Scotland international Jamie Benn (ex Castleford and Featherstone, among others). Having been stuffed by Ireland in their opening game, Scotland surprisingly pushed favourites England for an hour before going down 40-10 (former London Bronco pulling the strings for England, who went on to win the title). Graham’s week at least ended on a high with a 52-26 victory over Ireland, Craig Robertson racing in for six tries. No surprise the centre from Galashiels is off to Newcastle Thunder.

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