I'd have pretty much the same 1st team save for switching Lockers with Cooper (he's been playing loose for the Dragons recently) and J. Tomkins for Bateman (for me the classiest/most talented 2nd rower on the books at Wigan, though he is significantly smaller than Joel).

I wouldn't have Cuthbertson in the squad, however, because I really do believe that the seemingly fluid state of eligibility that is available to RL players at the moment is damaging to the overall international scene. Though it wouldn't be hurting a smaller nation in this instance, I believe that it sets a bad precedence for England RL and further encourages other, more developed (in RL terms) nations to continue to cherry pick developing countries best talents.

Also I might add in Ferres for Ablett if he manages to rediscover his form of a couple of years ago.

Finally I would consider adding LMS to the squad. I don't watch too much of Saints but he always seems to play superb against us (Wigan). If he could carry that over to England then he would be another very attractive option at loose.

Farrell was awful last year. I didn't see him run any good lines at all - generally straight at bigger forwards who knocked the ball out in the tackle too often. Its bad enough that both Burgii will drop the ball cold every now and then without having other forwards do it on regulation carries.

The sort of smaller forwards who work are Guerra/Cordner at the Roosters, Ryan Hoffman or even Greg Bird. All run really good angles making yards by running at gaps rather than defenders even under pressure. Like I say, Farrell may do that in SL but he was horrible for England last year (as was Joel Tomkins who at least had the excuse of only just having come back to RL).

Fair point, but I think we don't play enough internationals for us to be able to ignore how players perform in Super League. Based on last years Four Nations, Sarginson would be very hard to leave out, but he's been awful this year for Wigan. I don't think Farrell is ever gonna win you a game but you have an idea of what you're getting - a workhorse who hits a decent unders line and tackles well. I'd only pick George Burgess out of the Burgii.

You can't have Bateman and Farrell in the same team. Against the Aussies you're praying they go for mobility (in which case we could dodge a bullet). The problem is when the Aussies go for mobility it usually means picking equally big players who are ALSO mobile.

Against the Kiwi's steamroller-sized forwards we might as well open the oven door, turn on the gas and shove our heads in.

You can get away with one lightweight yet agile forward against SH sides. But you're aiming to get creamed playing two.

Besides, the Aussies looked like they had Farrell on toast previously.

I also think Farrell is done at this level, I'm a big fan of his at domestic level but his limitations are there for all to see.

I agree. One of the things any England coach has to look for is players who are better for England than club rugby would suggest - those who seem to grow an extra leg (I thought Sargison did that last year). We also have players who for whatever reason fold at international level. To me Farrell seems to fit more in that category.