Wow surprised at this

Jon Wilkin named Captain for Wednesday's game

[urlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/18675376[/url

Forgot to add - Congratulations Jon and well done.

Well done Jon.

Thought Robes would have been appointed, but, good luck and well done Jon

I think it's a question of leadership and is Roby vocal enough. If you want a captain to lead by example then possibly Roby's your man but if you want one that's Vocal maybe Wilkin is a good option.

Either way I don't think he will be appointed permanantly but it's always a great accolade to captain your country even once.

I'm not sure about McNamaras thinking behind this. Wilkin couldn't even get in the side for the last game.

We had Adrian Morley as captain not so long ago...now we have Mr Wilkin. What a comedown.

Perhaps they're looking for someone that won't get sent off in the first 4 seconds.

Your comment assumes McBanana thinks

Out of the squad named for the second Exiles match, he seemed the most logical choice. As people have said is Roby vocal enough? Wilkin's got a lot of big game experience, and leads from the front in terms of effort. The only other possible candidate would be Carvell, as one of the only other senior pro's in the squad. Peacock did McNamara no favours in announcing his immediate retirement when he did. He should have just retired at the end of last season and allowed England to plan for the future without him. as for Morley, yes he put's the effort in but, can be too much of a liability. How much longer can he continue to play both internationally and domestically? He must be 33, or 34 now and reaching the end of his career.

Well done Wilko. I'm sure he will give it his very best shot.

Well Done Jon Wilkin grab this chance with both hands.

Unbeleiveable he's the captain! He can't even make the full 17 in games that matter. McNamara has lost the plot!

If you recall he had a very good test series at the end of last year (four nations)....leading by example with his work rate. Captaincy deserved.....

Am I alone in thinking that the exiles game is the England coach's only chance to try things out? Surely if he thinks Wilkin might be the man for the job it's better to test that theory on what is effectively a trial game?

Agreed.

He also does a lot of talking on the pitch and tries to motivate players - certainly for Saints he does anyway.

He'll make 40+ tackles and give a good interveiw at the end.

Don't forgot he will run good lines

His interview was even crap tonight

I'm almost lost for words for that England performance tonight.

But diabolical springs to mind. The left edge defence, what was going on.

I felt sorry for the young lads making their debuts, the experienced players let them down big style, no leadership, no fight, cr@p.

Oh for a Morley, Hock or McIlorum etc to bang some heads.

No thanks.

We missed aggressive forwards. We did not miss idiots and thugs.

Spoken like a true imbecile

I think this man should be banned from this forum

So earlier in the season yourself and Mugwump argued the toss with me that he was more interested in his testimonial than playing for Saints and leading by example but you are more than happy for him to now be England captain? This is despite Wilkin producing no better levels of form since your flawed argument about 2/3 months ago.

Incredible.

Quote ="SaintsFan"Agreed. He also does a lot of talking on the pitch and tries to motivate players - certainly for Saints he does anyway.'" viewtopic.php?f=18&t=522644&tsmp=1341479537 Just in case you couldn't remember. I particularly enjoyed this: Quote ="SaintsFan" It's no good just leading by example though. Somebody needs to give direction, to talk. He wasn't talking - except at the ref. He's been with us 10 years. He's in his late 20s. He is fully capable of taking on the extra responsibility of leader up front. He needs to do it '" Things must have changed dramatically.

Quote ="SaintsFan"Agreed. He also does a lot of talking on the pitch and tries to motivate players - certainly for Saints he does anyway.'" viewtopic.php?f=18&t=522644&tsmp=1341479537 Just in case you couldn't remember. I particularly enjoyed this: Quote ="SaintsFan" It's no good just leading by example though. Somebody needs to give direction, to talk. He wasn't talking - except at the ref. He's been with us 10 years. He's in his late 20s. He is fully capable of taking on the extra responsibility of leader up front. He needs to do it '" Things must have changed dramatically.

=#FF0000[iSteady on with the personals. It looks like Pete's rubbing off on you - Offisde Monkey[/i I certainly have better things to do than digging up comments from other threads in a childish attempt to make a point.

I wasn't aware that time stood still.

or he could be a lawyer because that was some pritty impressive research, and your reply made it even funnier.