Phil Clarke reveals who he would pick out of Morgan Smithies and Morgan Knowles

Yesterday 13 players picked their first England cap as Shaun Wane named an experimental side against France.

Some of the changes were forced including one at 13 with Morgan Knowles of St Helens suspended.

However, this saw Wigan Warriors star Morgan Smithies get his chance and on Sky Sports they gave him some overdue praise.

Stuart Pyke said: “Morgan Smithies has done a lot of good work but goes unnoticed a lot of the time because he is not a spectacular player but boy does he do some work.”

Before Jon Wilkin added: “He goes unnoticed by people like you, but plenty of people notice him. If you are in a changing room with him, you love him.”

That said, Phil Clarke said that he would rather Knowles play in a World Cup Final:

“An interesting debate Jon would be who would get picked between him and Morgan Knowles if they were both available for a match, a World Cup Final.

“I’d pick Morgan Knowles in 2023. I don’t know about 2025. Both players might have improved and be better.”

Wilkin then added in response:

“They’re both great players.”

Smithies will now return his attention to trying to get Wigan to the Grand Final where he will be an integral cog especially after taking on the 13 shirt in Super League this season for the first time.