Leigh Leopards’ Derek Beaumont questions major Shaun Wane selection decision

Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont has lamented his side being consistently “snubbed”, after Robbie Mulhern wasn’t selected for the England squad.

Shaun Wane’s England squad for the upcoming tests against Samoa was announced this week, with no Leigh players included.

One player that seems particularly unlucky to miss out is Robbie Mulhern, after an excellent season helped the side reach the Super League play-offs.

In his place, more experienced props Mike McMeeken and Chris Hill were named instead.

Derek Beaumont on Leigh Leopards “snubs” after England announcement

Speaking on the Super League Raw podcast, Derek Beaumont gave his opinion on this decision.

He said: “I’ve got a lot of respect for Shaun Wane, rate him highly as a human being and even more as a coach, so he’ll have his reasons, I’m sure.

“But for me… last time I spoke to Wane last year, it was about him having a look at Robbie and what he thought of him. And he chucked him in the training squad and then he made it on from that and I think he figured in the third game at the expense of Chris Hill.

“Chris is a friend of mine, he’s been a great, great player. He’s somebody who you can rely on 100%. He’s really consistent, he’s clean, he doesn’t give away penalties and he does his job well but he’s batting at the wrong end of his career.

“If these international friendlies are about how we move forward towards World Cups and things, then… is Chris Hill going to figure in the next World Cup? I think Chris would tell you himself that’s highly, highly unlikely.”

He continued: “I get the experience that he’s got, but there’s other people in there that have got experience anyway, so I don’t think that’s what he needs to rely on. Huddersfield haven’t had the greatest of seasons, they’ll say by themselves, and Chris missed parts of that as well.

“Whereas Robbie’s young, he’s proved himself as one of the best middles when he’s played. So, really, really shocked, but then again, we seem to have been snubbed on pretty much everything this year. So, it doesn’t really surprise us. Robbie and us will take it as motivation and all keep working hard.”