Wayne Bennett is in England on a fact-finding mission ahead of this year’s Four Nations, and the new England coach is expected to take in a number of games this week as he scouts for talent. Here’s four uncapped stars in particular who Bennett could keep an eye on when he assesses this week’s Super League.
Tom Johnstone (Wakefield)
Bennett may well end up at Warrington to watch the Wolves play Catalans on Friday, but if he decided to head to Belle Vue, he’d see one of the brightest young wingers in the game. With Ryan Hall and Tom Briscoe injured, Joe Burgess out of form in the NRL and Josh Charnley going to rugby union, there is undoubtedly an opening for an uncapped winger to force his way into Bennett’s thinking – just like Jermaine McGillvary did with Steve McNamara last year. Johnstone would be a fine choice.
Scott Taylor (Hull FC)
OK, Taylor has an international appearance to his name, but we’re not including a game against the Exiles as an actual international cap. Irrespective of that though, Taylor’s first real international appearance is surely on the cards this year. He’s been the competition’s standout prop in the eyes of many – and if Bennett hangs around until Sunday to watch Hull play Castleford, he’ll no doubt be impressed by what he sees.
Mike McMeeken (Castleford)
Sticking with Sunday’s sole Super League game, but this time paying attention to Hull’s opponents, Castleford – and in particular the form of forward Mike McMeeken. The former London Bronco has been a revelation since joining the Tigers at the start of last season: and is surely another who Bennett will have a careful eye on this weekend if he takes in the Tigers’ game.
Ben Currie (Warrington)
Currie was selected for the England squad for last year’s Test series against New Zealand, but failed to earn a cap. This year however, things should be very different indeed. He’s been one of the Wolves’ real standout stars in 2016, and is likely to have already caught the eye of Bennett this season from afar. If he takes in Warrington’s game against Catalans on Friday, he’ll be impressed with what he sees from Currie.
