The Liam Farrell Column: Bennett meeting productive

The new England coach is in the country to start his Four Nations preparations.

It was a chance for him to speak to the players and outline what he wants, and what he expects, from us.

He’s been in the game so long, you have to take on board everything he says.

He wants to win and he wants players who are focused.

It was good to get together again with the England lads from last year’s series win against New Zealand, and there were some new faces in there, too, and some new staff members.

The Four Nations is quite a while off, but I’m really hoping I can get back fit, play well and make sure I’m involved.

Wayne will be at our game against Widnes tonight.

Will it have an effect on the players? Maybe subconsciously.

But I’d like to think all players go out to do their best each week, so it’s not as if they can up their game a notch when they want.

We will need to be on our game, regardless of who is watching, because Widnes are not an easy team to beat.

I don’t want to go on about their artificial pitch, because most sides are better at home than away - whether they play on grass or not.

Widnes have some classy halves and some talented players. My brother, Connor, was there on loan earlier this year and I know he was impressed with the players and the set-up.

I went to Hull KR with Lockers, and thought we were quick lucky to come away with a win because we didn’t really deserve it.

But when you consider the disruption we had before it, with Dan Sarginson withdrawing, and the players who were missing it was pleasing to get another two points.

I don’t want to rave about Sam too much because I’ve mentioned him a lot recently! But he did well and played a big role in getting the win.

It wasn’t the best round of fixtures. I’ve not seen Hull FC’s win against Warrington but I read Lee Radford’s quotes about the quality - or lack of it - and I imagine Leeds will not be bothered they only scored one try against Salford.

The fact they’ve got a win will be a huge monkey off their back, and they’ll be now looking at getting their mentality right for the Qualifiers.

I’m due to have surgery on my rib injury next week.

Hopefully, I’ll be back available to play six weeks after that.

Fingers crossed it will be sooner.

I’d like to send my condolences to the family of Ronan Costello.

You don’t have to know him to be shocked and saddened by his death, at the age

of 17.

It’s a terrible tragedy and his family and friends are in my thoughts.