Starting for England Yawnion against the ozzies this weekend.Its not a good feeling when homegrown players leave but I'm a always glad when they do well,so well done Joel and I hope he does well.

Is that now 3 Wiganers in the squad plus a coach?

And the fitness coach, Paul Stridgeon

A very talented player, he's just what we need off the bench for England at the moment IMO

3 wiganers in the England RU side. Don't know whether that's a good or bad thing.

To have 3 young lads leaving to Union for me is a bad thing,but it shows how strong Wigan/rugby league is when within 2 years they are in the England side.

I'd be surprised if he gets more then 3 or 4 touches.

Hope it's not too cold for him.

Agreed and yet I just heard his snivelling interview on Radio 2 in which he says it's going to be a 'big step up from international rugby league'

In monetary terms maybe.
BTW, anyone hear Clive Woodward on 5Live last night? Let slip he'd been "watching" Sam before he finally decided on NRL. Who was he scouting for do we think?

They all play a significant part in the booming England set up, a lot of stuart lancaster coaching has a big rugby league background to it as well. will be interesting to see if Joel can establish him self as first team regular for England as they do have a lot of good up coming .

They all say that, its like they don't want to upset somebody or some organization i wonder who that is?

. Sonny bill William's has on record said rugby league is tougher no doubt in 2 years he will reverse that comment.

The RFU for a centrally funded contract, they would of loved to take rugby league poster boy again.