NORTHERN UNION.

THE COLONIAL FOOTBALL TOUR. PROBABLE PLAYERS. [raoM otn own corbesfokdwt.] LONDON, 4th Morch. Writing in the Athletic News, "Forward" says :—"I: — "I do not envy -the committee their tack of selecting the 26 players who will comprise the first Northern Union side to leave the United Kingdom. Already the nominations arc being received, and every club in the Northern League* appear* to fiosseiw pardonable pride, and the belief hat the side cannot, bo representative unless their bright and particular star is considered. Indeed, pome clubs have nominated ten players, others will be so,' slied with one or two, but, striking the average of four from each of the 28 clubs, brings the nominations over the century. Forecasting teams is % rpular recreation with readers, and have been asked by many to give my opinion as to the probable candidates. I can only give the names of Ibose players I have seen this xeason, for the final selection, apart from character, will be made from men who at the present time are exhibiting convincing form. My first thirteen would be Bharrocks (Wigan), Leytbam (Wigan), Jenkins (Wigan), Lomw (Salford), Tyson (Oldham), Davies (Huddersfleld), Newbould (WaJcefield), Ferguson (Oldham), Clampitt (J. L., Broughton Rang, ers). Webster (Leeds), CroMland (Wakefield),. Avery (Oldham), and Boylen (Hull). I may, perhaps, be charged with an undue preference for Lancashire in my three-quarter back line, but who can suggest superior players in their respective positions? THE SECOND BIDE. "My fcecond thirteen (two thirteens, of course, are to be taken) would be :— Barton (St. Helens), Farrar (Hunslet), Chic Jenkins (Ebbw Vale), Oliver (York), Batten (Hunslet), Thomaa (Wigan), Smith (Hunflet), Jukes (Huns, let), Ramndale (Wigan), Winatanley {Leigh), Padbirry (Runcorn), Sandham (Hull, Kingston Rovers). Francis (Wigan). My preference for Barton as reserve full-back is due to the fact that I have witnessed twoparticularly telling displays by the St. Melons captain this , season. Had Turtill been away Barton i would have filled the rear position, and j if Barton was worthy of international ; honours three or four veers ago, his , claims today cannot be overlooked. Added to this, he is a capital right wing three-quarter back. For this all-round adaptability, I should like to include John, of Salford. On occasion he could play full-back or centre three-uuarter back, and his claim as the half-back hcrummage worker U one that will need serious ronti deration. The committee will need carefully to consider the claims of players who, in cane of emergency, can with credit occupy any back position. FAST HALF-BACKS. "We havo a surfeit of forwards* but ojnly twelve will be taken, although with little difficulty I could select another dozen of merit, nearly equal to tho twelve I have given. Alco tbe scrum-mage'half-backs could be duplicated, but for outside men John Thomas, of Wigan, and James Davies, of Huddersfield, are our best representatives at the present time, for the fact must not be ovferJooiced that the Australian grounds will be firm, and that fast, open play, with attack aa ita object, will be the fare palatable' to the colonial spectators. I learn that Mr. Plait has received applications from doctors, professional trainers, and others, all anxious that the team should have the benefit of their advice. I do not think, however, that the party will exceed the original number, for the expenditure will need to be carefully watched. The question of a return being made via America is now under consideration, for the editor of a wcll-Kftown American paper is anxiouA to arrange a vories of exhibition gomes, and given favourable terms, should time permit, the Union will no doubt accept the offer." MORE COLONIALS FOR ENGLAND. The Athletic News al«o *ay*: — "Should the proposed test of strength take place between the Northern Union representatives for Australia and New Zealand and a team of colonial players now in England, some slight difficulty may be experienced in securing a complement of forwards for the "aliens." This defect, however, will not be apparent, should another match be played next seajon, for we learn from a most reliable source that negotiations are proceeding between two well-known Lancashire clubs and three players of repute now is New Zealand with a view to the colonials coming to England next August. Thus once again will the spirit of the drastic resolution of the Northern Union Committee be broken. The desired players are not connected with the New Zealand League, but are Rugby Union men, and will need no transfer. The desire of the Northern Union is that colonial players should remain in the colonies; but until a resolution strictly prohibitive in character, and one which make* no distinction between the League and the Rugby Union is adopted, we nhall need to report this steady immigration which, to tay the least, is bound to check the progress of tbe game abroad."