Re Rourke: Wasn't Max the Superleague "Rookie of the Year" in his first season and easily held his own as a SL fullback. This season has been an opportunity to review and reset and Max has taken that with both hands. Ignoring his excellent goalkicking, playing in the halves has added a new dimension to his running and attacking game. His decision making re run or pass has improved greatly and once he spots a gap he is using great acceleration and footwork to break the line. His passing has always been top drawer down the left edge but he has developed his game to be massively effective down the right as well.
Back to Rourke. He has had a great season and will continue to develop as cover for full back and will push Max to keep improving. That's how it should be. However, he will already have great qualities to bring to the team and should easily fit into the team on the right wing.

Yeah, as I said, I remember him playing for England Academy against the Aussies while a Leeds junior. I seem to remember quite a bit of hype about him when he was going through their Academy at that time, but he only lasted a year in their senior set-up before moving to Hudds, might have been down to the lack of chances he was getting. I also think he made his SL debut against Trinity for Leeds.

He’s a good player. He’ll be in the England squad at the end of the year I reckon. 

Still contracted at Leigh till end of next year.

For some reason, this disappeared, which was my reply when Avenger suggested him.

Commentator on the Leigh game yesterday said Trout has been called into the England squad......didn't know it had been announced yet ??