Someone out of James Roby, Daryll Clark and Michael Mcilorum will surely be left at home, so which one should it be?

I personally wouldn't take this 'Mickey Mac' bloke. I think Roby and Clark have proved themselves as the two best hookers in SL this season, plus the Wigan player is too much of a hot head and is always likely to do something stupid. No doubt the Aussies would look to wind him up, looking for a reaction.

The outstanding Roby with Clark as his understudy should be on the plane for me

Daryl Clark's form in big games this year makes me nervous, make no mistake playing NZ and Oz in the southern hemisphere is a step-up again from a CC final or a SL play-off.

I don't rate Mcilorum particularly but at least he's confident and tough and would be a good foil for Roby if we're having 2 hookers in the 17. Roby and Clark are quite similar in style and I don't think Clark's ready for Test football yet.

How big is the squad? 25? Take all 3.

One thing this season has proved is that although Clark is a very good player, he is ineffective against a good defence and needs a good quick ptb to be effective. Against the Aussies, it is unlikely he will get the speed of the PTB he has had the majority of this year. For me Roby has to be number one choice with a toss up between Clark/McIllorum. Outside chance has to go to England Knights captain, Josh Hodgson (a bit of bias i know). If someone could knock the out of the niggly little git Mcillorum in the playoffs (i wish) then Clark would be a shoe in with Roby.

How big is the squad? 25? Take all 3.

Many will disagree but I would say Roby and Micky Mac.

Both Roby and Clark are at their best when they get a quick play the ball. Realistically how many quick play the balls will we be getting against the Aussies? How effective has that type of player been in the past for us at international level?

McIlorum is at his best when the game is in an arm wrestle, when the defence is tough and the forwards are piling in. Micky Mac was made for test rugby. McGuire even started him in the 2010 GF because of his ability to rip in at the highest level.

This is not me saying that McIlorum is better than Clark or Roby but at international level he will suit the intensity down to the ground.

Imagine you are Cameron Smith or Paul Gallen. You would love to play against a hooker you can control easily when the PTB is slowed down. The last thing you want is to be up against someone who will make your life uncomfortable.

Micky and Roby as a partnership is better than Roby and Clark as a partnership. For that reason I think Micky will start the games interchanging with Roby.

I'd take 3 hookers. Every game will need two so you are running at bare minimum if that's all you take.
I like Clark but as said, he hasn't quite shown it in the big games. I think that is a Cas issue rather than his own but it is still a question mark.

I like Houghton too, He should be considered.

Roby and clarke are 1 and 2 in SL for me

then you have the next batch mcilorum/ hogson/ lunt

Roby, Clarke, Lunt, and Burrow should all be on the plane before MM. Every time I see Houghton I'm thinking a snail could be faster than him. Hodgson is pretty average as we'll.

I'd take Roby and MM.

As others have said, I too don't think Clark is ready for test rugby. MM is experienced in the big games, his distribution is probably the best or atleast equal to anyone in SL and provides that bit of niggle that the Aussies hate.

Take the Bulldogs v Storm game last week. Michael Ennis got right underneath Cam Smith's skin, put him off his game. MM can do similar in the middle for England.

Its amazing that year after year Wigan lose player & people say they will never be as good, yet the players who stay and provide consistency of performance year to year don't get any respect. Someone must be doing something right!

Roby and MM for me. Clark's been too anonymous when I've seen his team under the cosh. Which, realistically, is where England will be.

I'd take all 3 in case one gets injured. As said I wouldn't play Clark as the main hooker as it'd be too big a step for a young lad but I'd use him off the bench.
My first preference as main hooker would be Roby but it's not a big deal if it's McIlorum, they're both good hookers and it won't be at hooker we win or lose the game.

Take 'mickey mac', will be funny watching him get the sh*t kicked out of him by the kiwis and aussies.

Use MM as the punchbag, then bring roby on when they're all punched out.

Roby and MM for me, Smith can cover 9 if needed but Higham can still cut it imo

That's just a fantasy of yours, in reality where the rest of us live, MM is tough enough and good enough to mix it with the Kiwis and Ausies.

I really like Clarke but as others have said his performances in the big games have been below average, maybe he's been let down by his Castleford team mates and maybe he'd be a revelation behind a big English pack, I don't know but the stakes are too high to gamble.

Roby as 1st choice with MM as his foil

No he isn't.

Is there some sort of exam or test all players have to take in order to determine toughness?

Roby and Clark.
Would take Lunt ahead of MM.

Don't see point in havin Roby and MM in same 17 as Roby might as well do 80 minutes. With Clark or Lunt coming off the bench It speeds the ruck up.

Then you woke up in a wet patch.

Handled himself fine in the WCC.

He was crap.

He's shown nothing when he's played for england.

I'd agree with that. Don't like MM much but he is a very good player and if he can control his aggression rather than just being a sh*thouse then i'd pick him over Clark who has done little recently in the 'big' matches.

Roby shouldn't be in question, he should walk into the team. Way better than any other hooker in SL.

who will the two half backs be never mind the hookers!?

smith and brown?

It all depends on how McNamara wants to play. However many hooker we take Roby is a must. If Mc intends to play Roby for 80 mins then take 2 hookers. I'd take 3. Roby and MM are competent to cover #13 if needed.