I was actually basing it on the opening 3 minutes, never mind the game.

well done

No one would ever get picked then if you judge players on a few bad moments, Sam Tomkins wouldn't get a look in for Hemel stags if that as the case, never mind England.

exactly

now shaul or tomkins for england full back?!

I would still have Hall and McGillvary on the wings without doubt. Proven class at the top level, and both are great at bringing the ball back which is what we will need in these matches. Only Manfredi was challenging them imo but obviously he is ruled out.

agreed

Hall is living on borrowed time IMO - did nowt last year against the Kiwis. Joe Burgess had a more than decent end to the season for Souths...

He did the usual graft of returning the ball with interest as he normally does getting his forwards on the front foot, the stuff that is missed or taken for granted by some but is a vital part of wing play especially at international level. I recall Burgess struggled a bit in that regard against the kiwis and was replaced by McGillvary who is also very good in that area. Hard to criticise any winger in that series too as it was very forward and defence orientated and the wings saw little, if any attacking ball or clear chances.

I saw that Cunningham had tipped Lomax for England fullback, and I think I agree.

Tomkins, as I saw at the KCOM on Friday, is spent. He seems to have no confidence, his pace and step seems to have gone. The best thing going for him at the moment is his link up play as an additional pivot, but even that isn't executed as well as it used to be.

Shaul - despite me being a Hull fan, I don't think he has the all round game needed at international level. Great season, safe in defence, awesome pace and finishing, but doesn't have the skill or awareness to be a threat vs NZ/Aus.

Hardaker - similar to Shaul in that he;s lacking the ball-handling part of his game. Not sure how he's getting on in Aus, but I assume he won't be in Bennett's thoughts.


Yeh, I'd go with Lomax and probably Ratchford in the squad.

^^^^^

Yeah, i was all for sticking by Tomkins but i do feel he could with a good pre season with Wigan to get back to his best. I guess Wigan fans would feel the same.

I would have Hardaker in the squad for sure. Great cover guy for the three quarters and is the reason he is on the interchange bench for Penrith now.

He could be an option at centre, as we're looking a bit weak there at the moment.

Agree with all the above. Lomax has done fantastically well considering injuries too. For me we do need Hall and McGilvray two best available to bring the ball back. Burgess was quite inneffective. Apart from Saturday i'd have Cudjoe in too partnership with Jerry and to be fair not been many better this year

O'Loughlin is expected back before the end of the season, but Wane is unsure whether he will be available to lead England in the autum.

Wane says he will hold talks with club chairman Ian Lenagan, rugby director Kris Radlinski and himself before making a decision.

"We'll have a chat with him in the next week or so about how we take it forward," Wane told the Wigan Evening Post. "That's a joint decision between Ian, Kris, myself and Sean.

"I love the international game, but the most important thing for me is this club."

If O'Loughlin is back before the end of the season and therefore not injured Wane should not be able to block him playing for England. Wane should face a disciplinary for this for me.

As much as I dislike Wane and all things Wigan, premier league managers say that stuff all the time.

I understand their position on it, but it doesn't make it right.

Compare Wane's way of thinking to that of Hull's when we let both Pritchard & Manu leave mid-season to captain their countries.

If O'Loughlin wants to retire from international RL, it should be his decision.

We've already got an international game that's a joke, the last thing we need is coaches choosing whether their players play. It should be the players desicion, and if he's fit he should be available.

Putting Clubs and in the Aussies case SOO first is part of the reason our international game is where it is.

leroy cudjoe named players and supporters player of the year at giants

yes a terrible season but still performing well is leroy, hope he retains his place for england

Jean, it would be far more subtle if you just started a thread called "My 100 favourite non abbreviated boys first names".
I'll start. Aaron.

Surely, against France, we should be trying some of the fringe players.
Luke Gale should get a shot, just to see if he can replicate his Cas form at a higher level.

The France game should be used for the team to get used to playing with each other, run through game plan etc to prepare for the 4 Nations. What's the point in setting up the friendly & travelling to France only to field a load of fringe players?

Fully agree with Luke Gale though, I'd have him starting 7 going into this game & the 4 Nations, been great the last 2 years.

I only said some.

A mix of experience and youth, with a chance to look at some of our future players would be a better idea.
IF we go with our strongest 13/17, France would be blown away, which serves no purpose whatsoever. Therefore put some new/young players in
and see how they go.
Of course, if there are some debutantes who go well, they can either be selected for the 4N or, at the very least, put some pressure on some of the more established players.
Any decent coach should always have one eye on the future.

Could you really class playing France as a higher level to what he's been playing week in week out in Superleague though, I'd back most SL teams to beat France. Just because it's international footy doesn't mean the standards are any higher

France in France is a whole different experience to playing SL down the M62 corridor and if you read the rest of my post, this is precisely the reason for playing some young/new players.

The French national team would be more than a match for any SL side (assuming that they have something close to their first choice 13/17) and pulling on the national jersey will be a new experience for any players that are lucky enough to make their debut.

Also, regarding your disparaging comments about France, how do you compare them to Scotland, who will be one of Englands opponents in the 4N ??

Scotland should do relatively well, considering half the posters on here want the team full of second rates Australians that can't get into heir national team.