11 DAYS Lach of faith COOTE BAFFLED BY BENNETT

SAM TOMKINS labelled Liam Farrell the ‘ultimate professional’ ahead of the Wigan star’s testimonial with Leeds today. “I’ve never known anyone work as hard as Liam,” said the former Warriors favourite. “He’s all about hard work and when I look at Wigan since 2010, their success has been built on hard work – and Faz has epitomised that more than anyone.”

The St Helens full-back was dropped after the opening defeat to Tonga, with Saints half-back Jonny Lomax called in.

Bennett told Aussie-born Coote that part of the reason was because he was already looking ahead to England’s Test series against Australia and next year’s World Cup.

Coote said: “It was a little disappointing and there was a question why he even picked me in the squad then.

“He didn’t really explain but said he liked the style of football I was playing for Saints. I looked at it as a reward anyway.”

Bennett caused uproar during the ill-fated tour when he admitted he was using the iconic Great Britain Lions as preparation for England’s future games.

He was also slated for several controversial selections, including taking six half-backs and then playing Blake Austin on the wing despite flying Leeds star Ash Handley out.

The latest revelation that Coote was told after the first game that his “non-English” status stood against him will also hit a bum note.

Wigan boss Ian Lenagan this week claimed that Super League chairman don’t want Bennett and would prefer an Englishman like ex-Wigan coach Shaun Wane or Castleford boss Daryl Powell to be appointed.

And despite being dropped, Coote insists he was fully onside with Bennett for the rest of the tour. He said: “I would have loved to have got more game time but that wasn’t the case and you have just got to deal with that.

“I didn’t play as well as I would have liked and Jonny has been his full-back for a long time and he did a great job.”

Even though the Lions lost all four games, Coote feels Saints might benefit as they defend their Super League title.

Props Luke Thompson and Alex Walmsley were rated among the best front-rowers in the world last year and Coote believes they will get even better.

He added: “Last year they didn’t experience many losses with Saints. But they will definitely learn from that.”

Saints open their campaign against beaten Grand Finalists Salford at home on Friday, January 31.