Which of Super League's young guns should be on the plane to Australia for the World Cup?

Well, we've already told you what we think of Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Luke Burgess, Gareth Hock and Joe Westerman. Now we've taken a look at Michael Shenton.

The centre is making waves this season with Castleford and has a lot of fans. Here's just a couple of your views:

Big, strong, skilful. Never takes a backward step. Just what we need against the Aussies!
M Travis

He is very fast, a good finisher and is a great defender.
Matty

But what did our man think when he went to see Michael in action against Harlequins? Find out below...

By George Riley

It takes a special kind of effort to sparkle in a struggling team, but Michael Shenton is making his presence felt at just the right time.

Buoyed by international recognition for his teenage team-mate Joe Westerman, the Castleford centre is making his own case for a World Cup spot.

"The World Cup would be great, I'd love to go there with Joe," Shenton told me in the Twickenham Stoop tunnel after Cas belied their rock-bottom position to wallop suspension-hit Harlequins 66-12.

Shenny is definitely worth a shot... he is definitely in the top four centres in the country Andrew Henderson

"I'm concentrating on Cas Tigers at the minute, though," he said, almost embarrassed that I'd raised the World Cup as a possibility for him.

"It's great for the club that Joe's involved in the squad and hopefully I can get there, too. I've just got to keep worrying about my game and playing well."

It is my understanding that England coach Tony Smith is keeping very close tabs on the pacey Tigers star, who celebrated his 23rd birthday this week.

"Yeah, Smithy has been looking at him and will continue to do so if he keeps playing like that," said a beaming Tigers coach Terry Matterson after his struggling side had claimed a much-needed win in London.

Shenton had a fairly quiet game and still ran in a hat-trick. He is a fantastically clinical finisher.

"He did a lot of good things and we all know there's not many top-class English centres running around at the moment, so he has that in his favour, too," said Matterson.

Shenton's treble took his Super League season's tally to 12. His opener came 18 minutes in, with his first real touch of the ball game.

Impressive scrum-half Brent Sherwin stretched the defence and the tattoo-covered Ryan McGoldrick then fed Shenton, who ran a great angle to finish in the right corner.

The second came five minutes before half-time and was a carbon copy, another clinical close-range finish down the right channel from Luke Dorn's floated pass.

Shenton is now into double figures for Super League tries this season

The hat-trick try almost came on the hour when he surprised Quins by popping up on the left wing only to be denied inches short, again following a Dorn offload.

The treble eventually came with 10 to go, creating room for himself with a lightning step, on receiving McGoldrick's pass, and blasting through the half gap at pace to touch down.

Shenton's eye for a try could make him a realistic wildcard in Smith's England squad. And you have to agree with Matterson. Who else is ahead of Shenton in the pecking order?

I rang Cas hooker Andrew Henderson on the team bus travelling back north on the M1, a few hours after the full-time hooter.

It was tough to hear Hendo above the raucous celebrations en route to The Jungle.

"We're just having a few bevvies, Georgey!" Hendo told me, as Castleford quite rightly celebrated a long-awaited and much-deserved success.

"Yeah, Shenny definitely deserves an England chance. Keith Senior and Martin Gleeson are the big two but he's next. Who else is there?" he asked me.

"Shenny is definitely worth a shot. He is definitely in the top four centres in the country."

Henderson used to be house-mates with Shenton, so he's ideally placed to provide a character portrait of a player the club rate very highly.

"He's very humble, a quiet guy, and very easy to live with," said Hendo. "He's laid back, has a really professional attitude for a young bloke.

"Being an older guy living with a young one, I was worried he'd be going out on the booze every night, but he's the complete opposite. A model pro."

Every player thinks about playing for their country, so I'd be lying if I said I didn't Michael Shenton

The youngsters I have featured in this series all have one thing in common: they share that same desire, that same work ethic, that same willingness to learn, whilst keeping their feet on the ground.

"He's a real pleasure to coach," said Matterson. "He's always looking for information and whatever you tell him he does. He works really hard and does all the little things well. He's probably the best trainer at the club.

"He has all the attributes to go right to the top."

Shenton's imposing 6ft 4in frame contrasts with his shy, unassuming demeanour. Oh, and he's lightning quick, too.

"Him and Richie Owen are the fastest at the club now Dwain Chambers isn't here," said Matterson.

"I'd like to see a foot race there. Shenny's probably the quickest, but Richie's very sharp."

As it happens, Chambers chose the Stoop on Sunday to make his first public appearance since losing his High Court appeal against a lifetime Olympics ban.

I managed to grab a word with Dwain by the dressing room as I waited for Hendo to conclude his lengthy post-shower beauty routine.

"Castleford is part of me now and I've had a lot of fun here," Chambers told me with his trademark gigantic smile.

Shenton's not afraid to get his hands dirty in defence either

"The camaraderie is great here and I'm just returning the favour. It's great to see Shenny score three. Someone has to take over my position as the fastest man at the club!"

Shenton's an exceptionally dangerous player. A silent assassin, an elusive runner with a work-rate that means he pulls his weight defensively.

But is a World Cup place for a man with hitherto no representative honours realistic, or fantasy? Castleford are keeping cool.

"I think he just needs to keep going and if it happens then it happens," said Matterson. "He is one for the future and whether it's this year or next we'll see."

Shenton's own feet remain firmly rooted to the ground.

"Every player thinks about playing for their country, so I'd be lying if I said I didn't. It would be great, but it's up to the coach and I'm sure he'll make the right call," said Shenton.

"I don't read the press really and Smithy's not said anything to me yet."

Whether he does will depend very much on how Smith chooses to balance his squad. Keith Senior and Martin Gleeson will start at centre. Gareth Ellis provides utility cover. Shenton represents a very exciting alternative.

Now it's your turn to tell us who we should take a look at next. Click the link on the right-hand side of the page and give us your view!