With Boxing Day just two weeks away, what do we think the squad will look like? Apparently all the new lads will get a run out for the game.

Any players had post seasons operations? obviously Watkins won't play, think I've seen on different social media sources that Ferres and Crosby have had leg braces on and think i saw Cuthbertson with a arm brace on but not 100% sure about them.

It will be a mixed bag from both teams - I actually love these games because you get to see up and coming players for the first time in a semi competitive game. Tom Johnstone amongst a few others made his first team debut in one of these games - spotting who's going to make it is part of the fun, and yes I did think TJ would make it.

Golding
Briscoe
Newman
Hurrell
Briscoe
Tui
McClelland
Singleton
Parcel
Cuthbertson
Ward
Ablett
Merrin

I wouldn't mind seeing all of the young Rhinos who played for England v the Aussies getting gametime tbh.

They'll be in the squad

Do Wakefield have any notable up and coming young players? There were no Wakefield players in the England Academy squad last night, Leeds dominated the squad with 7 players.

Think quite a big thing was made about Delaney putting in a swansong appearance for Leeds in this game wasn't there? Though he's been in Australia for the last week or two and has only just resumed pre-season training so might be just a cameo.

I wonder if Donaldson would be allowed to play even if he hasn't officially signed?

Yes trialists are allowed to play. In theory a trial player can play in any game.

Skip that, interview on YouTube says his eye injury is still anissue and he can't play yet.

Last year yes, this year no - some years you do some you don't. However if you had even the basic knowledge of how the game works you'd know that only a relative few make it in the senior game - far less in fact than those who never got close to Academy International selction who do make it.

Just from my own club Gareth Ellis, Danny Brough and Tom Johnstone didn't to name but a few and they have done just fine - likewise I bet I can name a shed load of Leeds and Wigan players through the years who got honours but never progressed.

It's a dangerous game banking on youth players and one of the few things that Hetherington does that I don't agree with. Leeds and Wigan hoover up all the best talent at aged 16-19, that's fine as far as it goes but it's just a snap shot of a player at a certain age and absolutely no guarantee of quality. Yes there are the very rare exceptions who you'd put your house on but not many.

I can't see many of those in this years England Academy team, which looks more solid than brilliant, this isn't a bad thing as it's often these players who progress well.

Wakefield currently have 13 Academy products in the first team, I'm happy enough with that. Of the three promoted this year Titus Gwaze, Jack Croft and Yusuf Aydin I have high hopes for all three.But you carry on Kev its quite amusing.