Dave Craven: Chewing Bacon fat overshadows intriguing Exiles selection

However, I have nearly – only just, mind you – calmed down since Monday’s excruciating airing on BBC Radio Five Live.

I decided if I started thinking about it all again the blood pressure would soar dangerously high once more, all just as I am about to start a few days’ break.

Anyhow, everyone has had their say on how the ill-informed presenter completely muddled his way through having seemingly done no research whatsoever.

If not getting club names wrong, he was apologising to viewers for coming away from their previous discussions on men’s suits, showing a blatant lack of respect for the competition, bringing embarrassment on the sport and himself, while almost ridiculing the legendary Billy Boston.

The famous former Wigan winger, a Wembley victor three times, was drawing the home sides but must have thought he had been set up for a Beadle’s About-style spoof given Bacon’s farcical questions.

In fairness, the contrite presenter has since done his utmost to apologise, directly in many cases, to all those who lambasted him on social networking sites and it is hoped he will accept Hull KR’s invite to attend their Challenge Cup game with Wigan to see what rugby league really is all about.

I’m sure if he did take time to witness just 80 minutes of action he would soon ditch some of those sartorial debates and, instead, be enthused enough to give the sport a decent showing on national radio.

For all Monday’s nonsense, that would be a favourable final outcome for Rugby League.

Anyway, let’s leave all that aside and, instead, focus on the Exiles and Brian McClennan’s initial squad announcement for the game with England. It has not stirred up quite as much loathing as Bacon’s blunders but just how has Bradford Bulls’ sensational full-back Brett Kearney managed to be overlooked?

The omission seems inexplicable given the impact the skilful, elegant Australian has had on the season so far.

The simple answer, of course, is that Exiles captain Brett Hodgson plays in the same position and, so, must be guaranteed to start on his home turf at Warrington Wolves come June 14.

However, surely there could be scope to find a place somewhere, even if just on the bench, for Kearney who has to be in the running for Man of Steel as we near the halfway stage.

Invariably, at least during Luke Gale’s absence, he has acted as an extra half-back for much of Bradford’s campaign so possibly he could be utilised there where his stealthy contributions have caused such chaos for opposition.

But Kearney is not on his own. The brilliant Wakefield scrum-half Tim Smith may not have consistently hit the heights of last season’s unplayable form with Trinity but how many neutrals would still love to see him thrown in against England?

He has not made the cut, though, and it looks like Wigan’s Blake Green will be paired with either his former Hull KR half-back partner Michael Dobson or the lovable unpredictability of Kearney’s prolific Odsal colleague Jarrod Sammut.

Elsewhere, Leeds Rhinos’ Brett Delaney has surprisingly been overlooked when the durable Australian second-row has been one of the champions’ most consistent performers.

But it all speaks volumes about the abundance of overseas class still operating in Super League.

It might not be the case in years to come as Australia and New Zealand’s top players prefer to stay at home in the increasingly cash-rich NRL.

Equally so, more England players will follow Gareth Hock, Lee Mossop and co that way too.

But for now, with the likes of Richards, Waterhouse, Puletua, Soliola and those Monaghan brothers around, Steve McNamara’s England side should get just the sort of thorough test they need before the World Cup.