Shaun Wane speaks on four hookers: who stood out, who “can do better” and James Roby situation

Yesterday there was an unusual scenario in an international match. There were four hookers on show all from the same country.

Michael McIlorum, Paul McShane, Daryl Clark and Kruise Leeming are all vying for the number nine shirt at this year’s World Cup or at least the number 14 jersey as replacement hooker.

Today, the nine shirt went to McIlorum with McShane starting on the bench whilst Daryl Clark and Kruise Leeming played against them for the Combined Nations.

Leeming especially caught the eye with two breaks and a key pass in the build up for the Combined Nations’ only try.

It can’t have done his World Cup hopes any harm at all whilst Daryl Clark also played very well.

After the game, Wane gave his assessment on the four and who he thought stood out the most: “I’m a big fan of Daryl, big fan of Kruise Leeming but I thought Michael McIlorum was the best.

“I thought Paul McShane can do a lot better than what he did. I’m a big fan of his but I thought Micky was the best.

“Daryl and Kruise did what we expected and ran a lot and did that very well but I thought we defended their threat well as well.”

So, after the performance, despite the big moments from Leeming, it seems that McIlorum is still in pole position especially with James Roby still retired from international rugby as Wane revealed no talk had taken place between him and the Saints skipper not even as he presented the shirts for the game as Wane didn’t want to “take the micky” as he said.

So, work to be done for Leeming, Clark and McShane.