McNamara losing patience over questioning of his squad

When asked about the criticism levelled at him for those who have failed to be selected for Friday’s International Origin – Huddersfield Giants captain Danny Brough clearly high on the agenda – the national chief showed his frustration at their Loughborough training camp yesterday.

“I’m sick and tired of talking about players who haven’t been picked, to be honest,” he said.

“This is an outstanding group of players and I have ultimate faith and trust in them.

“They have that with each other too and have been working together a fair period of time now.

“We’ve had new players come in from outside the (Elite Training Squad) group in Chris Hill and Brett Ferres while we’ve had others promoted from the England Knights, others who are in the ETS and not picked for this Exiles game plus those based in Australia too. It’s a brilliant group which has a great future for the World Cup at the end of this year and future World Cups as well.

“When it comes to individuals, fans watch their own clubs and are blinkered when it comes to their own players.

“I see every player from all clubs every single week and have opportunities to make decisions on that.”

While scrum-half Brough’s exclusion has caught the headlines over the last week, the inclusion of St Helens hooker James Roby just two games into his comeback after a three-month injury absence also raised eyebrows.

However, after appearing as a substitute at Huddersfield eight days ago, the ex-Man of Steel started for Saints in their win over Bradford Bulls on Sunday and looked in good nick.

McNamara was happy for Roby to have his first break for almost 10 years when England played France and Wales last autumn and has clearly hinted that he remains his first-choice hooker for the World Cup.

“He probably had more game time in his first two games than he would have expected,” said the coach. “Anybody who knows James knows how ultra-fit he is. He played 72 minutes Sunday and I thought he was pretty much back to his best.

“He’s a world-class hooker and, barring a dramatic loss of form or injury, he’s going to be there for us in the World Cup so it’s important we have as many of the key players within the group as many times as we can.”

Roby was allowed to sit out yesterday’s physical training session after playing the day before while Hull FC captain Gareth Ellis was also given extra time to get over the flight back from France, where he played against Catalan.

Sam Tomkins is fit and, while McNamara will not name his side until tomorrow, he said Leeds Rhinos full-back Zak Hardaker is likely to revert to his old centre spot to cover the absence of club-mate Kallum Watkins.

Another Leeds player – second-row Brett Delaney – has pulled out of the Exiles’ squad due to a knee injury meaning Wille Manu is called up and looks likely to maintain his 100 per cent record for the Anzac side.