I would persist with Tom Burgess, i would give him another chance as his size could be hard for Ireland to handle.

I'm inclined to agree. Whilst originally I was disappointed at Big Eorl not being picked, I think Tom has shown a bit of promise. Size like that is a valuable commodity and, although he had a mixed game, I thought he showed glimpses.

These are exactly my feelings. Australia started very slowly, yes we had something to do with it but I just think you could see early on they were a bit rusty.

We had no impact off the bench at all, I like Mossop but he's a steady hard working prop not someone who comes on and starts skittleing people.

I'd start Jammer and Hill and bring G Burgess and Mossop off the bench. I'd also start Mickey Mac to whack people and then use Roby off the bench to inject himself around the ruck.

I'd have Ferres on the bench and Faz starting because again I feel Ferres brings a bit more impact, Faz needs to be in though because he misses very few tackles and his footwork and the lines he runs gives us something extra.

I also agree with whoever said if Mcnamara wants Widdop in he starts him otherwise he sits in the stands. Can't be accomodating him for the sake of it. He's either his starting 6 or chase is. I personally would go for Widdop.

Burgess got a one match ban

I don't agree about Ferris. He played his way to a starting spot to me.
In particular, when Gallen came to smash him, he was not smashed and actually went back for more. He can easily do the whole game so no need to have Farrell or Ablet there to spell him. I was impressed with him all round.

Thought mossop was poor. Graham should replace him and O'Laughlin to replace the banned Sam Burgess. Has Roby been playing 80 mins this season for saints? He was really good when on and if he can play the full game there's no need for mcllorum in the 17.

I'd bring in O'Loughlin, Graham, Burrow, Farrell and Widdop.

O'Loughlin to come in for Sam Burgess for the time being and Graham should replace Mossop who was very average. He may struggle in the NRL - he's been solid for Wigan but he has stagnated over the last few years.

Even as a Wigan fan who has clearly seen how strong Mcilorum has been this year, I think Burrow gives us something different and can potentially twist teams in knots - especially if they aren't used to him.

Chase clearly struggles in a team where he's not the main man with a free licence to do what he wants. Very ineffective in a structured team. Widdop hasn't been given a fair chance yet and deserves one.

Ferres went OK but I think its only fair to give Farrell a chance in a group game.

Tomkins
Charnley
Cudjoe
Watkins
Hall
Widdop
Sinfield
Graham
Roby
Hill
Westwood
Farrell
O'Loughlin

G Burgess
T Burgess
Burrow
Ablett

Roby's been injured a lot (for him). He has played 80 minutes on occasion, but most of the time they've manage to spell him using Hohaia, or shuffling Wilkin and *gulp* Wellens at times.
He can play 80 minutes, but he's bound to be sharper if he gets spelled a little. As well as being a threat around the ruck, he showed some excellent play selections and if not for a wonder play by slater to stop his 40-20, the game [icould have[/i swung a different way. He's so much more than the scooter that some posters label him as.
I'm not actually McIlorum's biggest fan, but he's a tough competitor and is a major player when you see wigan's defence pressurising the opposition. If he does that right, keeps his head and avoids those forward passes that seem to sneak in to his game, he'll be reet.

Looking at the Irish defence and lack of idea in attack last night, England could pick any side they want and still get 50+

What is the record International score? I think Ireland could break it twice.

I'd largely agree with this.

For me, McNamara has to make a brave decision on Gareth Widdop - either he plays him from the start or not at all.

Widdop is wasted from the bench, especially if he is being used to spell Roby. It completely reshuffles the half backs, puts Sinfield into a less effective position at hooker and gives Widdop himself little time to get into the game and make an impact.

For me, the bench on Saturday (discounting the drinking issue) should have been Graham, T Burgess, O'Loughlin/Ablett and then one of McIlorum or Burrow. The latter two act as a straight replacement for Roby, in different ways, should you want to spell Roby whilst Burrow also offers cover for the positions that Widdop is there to cover.

That means that one of Widdop or Chase misses out.

need to go some to beat the 110 - 4 score rattled up by the Kangaroos against Russia for a world cup match at Hull in 2000....i was there.

There was a game where france rattled some 120 -0 points against serbia and montenegro in a comp. in Lebanon in 2003

Tomkins
Hall
Cudjoe
Watkins
Charnley
Widdop
Chase
Graham
Roby
Hill
Ferres
Westwood
O'Loughlin

McIllorum
Farrell
G Burgess
T Burgess

I think England's highest score was against France in 1994ish, wasn't it?

Bottom line is that Widdop has to be one of the starting halves and plays 80 minutes.

Second issue is the need to discipline Sam Burgess and Ben Westwood, who are penalty machines.

Finally O'Loughlin needs to be in the team.

Probably won't beat that Aussie scoreline no. They could do though

I''d play some of the guys that didn't play just to get some game time

I'd play Tom Burgess again as he needs to get used to the level now that he has been thrown in.
Still need to play Ferris as he earned his stripes and deserves to keep going.

I'd play Widdup with Sinfield and have Burrow on Bench as interchange.
Graham to play assuming he doesn't go on the drink again.

Mossop I think I'd lose as he is not inexperienced so doesn't need gametime but was the poorer performer
Think I'd start with George rather than bring both twins on as interchange.
or keep Graham on for longer and switch the other prop.

Rest of backs the same. They need to play together to find their attacking side

Widdop for Chase, Graham for Mossop, O'Loughlin for Sam Burgess.

Keep changes to a minimum, try and build some confidence in combinations. Not a fan of this "giving everyone a game" approach in major tournaments.

Amazing, after the Italy loss everyone wanted cudjoe out, now hes in everyones team

He played well on Saturday, but apart from moving a non-specialist like Ablett or Hardaker there, we've only got 2 centres in the squad!

Expect all the players that missed out on Saturday to get a run. Be a full strength side vs Fiji.

Spot-on, both in team changes and attitude.

Surely better to keep everyone with a semblance of match fitness throughout the competition at all times. If someone, say Briscoe, doesn't play in the groups, then Ryan Hall gets injured before the final and he has to come in, he wont have played for over 2 months. Better to rotate IMO.

Bottom line is SM isn't going to change Sinfield + Chase.

If he plans on using them in the QFs and beyond he should play them in the next two games and make a call on Widdop either way. He's wasted from the bench, much rather have Burrow or McIlorm on the bench.

Sticking with the same half backs at least will allow them hopefully to get some confidence and create chances for the backline, which also shouldn't be changed.

Hill
Roby
G Burgess
Ferres
Farrell/Ablett
Westwood

McIllorm
T Burgess
Graham
Ablett/Farrell

IMO we can't be messing about with combinations. Strongest team always, unless injury or fitness is an issue.

Fijians will really try to give it to us in Hull as well - we'll need a strong, steely pack to put up with them.

Bit of catch 22 situation this. Do you play the same team for the (hoped for) continuity you don’t get from players from different teams or do you keep the match fitness up

Personally I would keep the play makers together and that means the 1, 6, 7, 9 spine you want to link together. We don’t have the centres to switch too much

Rotating the forwards and potentially the wingers is an option

Personally, I would take the benefit of the increased continuity of the whole team over the risk of a player coming into the team later with a little less match fitness

didnt stop people wanting him out after the Italy game. Quality player is cudjoe and will only get better.