Gareth Hock for England

[highland convert]

If mcnamara claimed he would have used Hock for the french friendlies would his five match ban be over and he could play, 3 play off and two internationals make five. He could line up against Wales/ just a passing thought, Jim

[Panchitta Marra]

Fully agree HC.
We all know Gaz is a hot head but in the crux games he has the potential to win games.
Jamie Jones-Buchanan has been average at best 2011, yet gets his England shirt on what???.
Been opportunities for Gaz to run down his ban, C;mon McNanamarra, show you have some ba115.

[Webby71]

I thought Hock missed 4 games at the end of last season? Crusaders, Saints, Cats & Saints again leaving him with 1 match to go?

[AdamMac]

Never going to happen IMO but i disagree agree with the comment of JJB being average this season. He's been one of Leeds most consistent and best players BUT saying that he still isn't good enough at international level. He wasn't 5 years ago and still isn't know, like most of the leeds lads in the squad. Same old, same old.

[DaveO]

I thought Hock missed 4 games at the end of last season? Crusaders, Saints, Cats & Saints again leaving him with 1 match to go?

I think that is correct and given one pre-season friendly can count towards reducing a ban he will be available from the start of next season.

As to internationals counting toward reducing the ban, they can do that but only if the player was named in the squad. Hock wasn't so there is no opportunity for that here.

In general I'd be very surprised if the International coach even named a player given a long ban in his squad in the first place even if he could be available after a game.

[rdownes9]

Surely Jamie Jones-Buchanan gets his place on a novelty basis, for having by far the largest forehead in rugby league, if not all sports!!

[josie andrews]

Surely Jamie Jones-Buchanan gets his place on a novelty basis, for having by far the largest forehead in rugby league, if not all sports!!

And chin

[Panchitta Marra]

Never going to happen IMO but i disagree agree with the comment of JJB being average this season. He's been one of Leeds most consistent and best players BUT saying that he still isn't good enough at international level. He wasn't 5 years ago and still isn't know, like most of the leeds lads in the squad. Same old, same old.

I was maybe being a bit harsh on JJB, Adam, my thoughts was of the Leeds team generally being very avarage until the close of the season, and JJB being part of it.
I would still have Gaz Hock in my team than Buchanan though, be it Wigan, England or GB.

[yokozuna]

Surely Jamie Jones-Buchanan gets his place on a novelty basis, for having by far the largest forehead in rugby league, if not all sports!!

Definitely true, but he was also the Rhinos' most consistent player of the season, and the fact they got to a CC final and won the Grand Final would suggest they have some players who have a shout for a place in the internationals (assuming all their good players aren't from down-under).

Can't really see how Hock has played himself into the England reckoning, maybe if he'd not got that suspension he would have had some games to show exactly that.

[highland convert]

Y, I never said Hock should be in the team. My point for discussion was "Could Mcnamara have used up the suspension to get him available if he so wished?" It is pure speculation but an interesting point.