Five players who should’ve played more for England

Prior to Friday’s international, there was plenty of debate over Shaun Wane’s England selection. Some believed players were picked based on previous performances, others were selected on form whilst some stars were again overlooked.

This got us thinking about the plenty of world class players who weren’t given a fair crack at international level. So, here’s five players who should’ve played more for England.

Rob Burrow

A Super League legend for sure, Burrow wasn’t really given the chance to excel on the international stage. He made just 15 appearances for England and remarkably crossed for 12 tries showing just how good Burrow could’ve been on the international stage had he been given more opportunities. The two-time Harry Sunderland Award winner and 8-time Grand Final winner would’ve thrown something different at the Australians and his ability to rise to the big occasions would’ve made him even more potent against the Green and Golds.

Danny Brough

From 2011-2013 there were few English halfbacks better than Danny Brough. In those three seasons he guided Huddersfield to the play-offs including a first place finish in 2013. That season also saw him claim the Man of Steel award. With one of the finest kicking games in Super League history, he’d have been a huge asset for England. In the end he only played two games for England as he was continually left out in favour of Rangi Chase. He would instead develop into quite a hero for Scotland.

Josh Charnley

Charnley has scored nine tries in nine appearances for England and yet hasn’t been given another crack since. With 190 tries, Charnley sits fifth on the all-time Super League try scorers list and has been the most potent-right winger in the competition’s history. A two-time Grand Final winner and double winner with Wigan back in 2013, he should’ve been given more of a chance at international level.

Danny Houghton

Somehow, the closest Houghton has ever gotten to the England side is feeder team England Knights. One of Super League’s greatest ever defenders, for years on end he always finished the Super League season as the top tackler. Who could forget his try saving tackle at Wembley in 2016 – a year in which he also came away with the Man of Steel. That proves his quality and yet he never played for England. Given defence is so key in international matches, the fact he was the league’s best defender for so long makes this all the more remarkable.

Danny McGuire

There are those who believe Danny McGuire is Super League’s greatest player and it’s hard to argue with such a claim. With 247 tries he’s the league’s all-time leading try scorer, he won eight Super League titles and scored a stunning eight tries in nine Grand Final appearances as well as winning a pair of Harry Sunderland Awards making him the greatest Grand Final player Super League has ever seen. Yet, despite all that, he made just seven appearances for England. For a player of his quality, this is simply criminal. A star capable of conjuring something from nothing and rising to the biggest occasion, he should’ve been one of the first names on the team sheet but rarely was. We can only wonder what success he might have brought had he been given the opportunity to display his club form on the international stage.