Lomax
McGilvery
Watkins
Bateman
Hall
Widdop
Gale
Hill
Hodgson
Graham
Currie
Whitehead
O’Loughin


Walmsley
Heighington
T Burgess
Roby

Not sure what Heighington offers that the likes of McMeekan could offer especially against Lebanon.
I would also say Currie is a better centre than Bateman and would swap them round or just add Percival and put Bateman/Currie on the bench for Heighington.

I prefer Bateman over Currie at this time for centre.

Personally I'd say this would look the better team.

Lomax

McGilvery
Watkins
Currie
Hall

Williams
Widdop

Hill
Hodgeson
Graham
Bateman
Whitehead
O'Loughlin

Roby
T. Burgess
Walmsley
Taylor

I would say that’s a pretty good call, problem I have is do we think Williams as the right mentality for the international game, don’t get me wrong I like the kid but when I have watched the Wigan games on Sky he does disappear at times. I know Gale does aswell and the only other alternative is Brown. I’m really struggling with the England set up as a whole, very limited choices in the backs.

Personally I'm not sure Bateman is big enough for an international second row.

I too would probably go with McMeekan on the bench ahead of Heighington - probably the only change I'd make to the team, though I'd like to see Percival & Ratch get a run out at some point.

I suppose the quandary is whether we (the coach) are still searching for our team, maybe a bit of fine tuning if he was unsure in the first place or whether it's a question of sticking with your first pick and changing little, perhaps only to nurse an injury/ provide a rest for the next game?

Based on talent, or recovery from injury?

If they were both 100% I wouldn't have Bateman over Currie at either position 2nd row or centre. Perhaps our Wigan 'friends' might say the opposite, but, if it was announced that we were thinking of a swap between the clubs then I wouldn't be too happy

Bateman is an excellent worker and tireless defender.

Currie is the complete player. Speed, skill, step with a good rugby brain and an excellent passing game and vision. And he also has an excellent short kicking game.

I’d have Bateman at Warrington in a flash, over Hughes.

Lomax is nowhere near standard internationally.

Heighington is a waste of a jersey.

Rather see Walmsley or McMeekin given a shot.

All academic as this game will be a landslide.

Exactly that. At this time Bateman is all over better than Currie. Perhaps not for pace. Size skill speed in that order is what is required in the Aussie game. You cannot comprise the first two for speed.... it when you have a player with all 3 then wow...!

Currie is about 3 months off being the better player than Bateman again, but there wasn't a great deal between them...
Yes I too would prefer Currie over Bateman for 2018 but I wouldn't lose an hours sleep over it if we had to do a swap.

I said before the comp started the McGillvery would be the man to surprise...because he has all 3 attributes....exactly what fits the NRL to a Tee.

Happy to swap Bateman for Currie...that has to be a wind up.

Who said that?...
I for one didn't.

Of course it’s a wind up. Nothing wrong with Bateman at all, he’s fantastic. But it’s like comparing Slater and Tomkins, both fantastic players but one is actually superior in every area of his game and has that X-factor about him...

I was amazed when Currie was selected for the tour and I'm even surprised that he is pushed into the limelight whilst on it. He is class. BUT he looks to me like a man keeping out of big contact. It might be that I'm watching him too closely. He was selected for England on his performances over a year ago and I'd be much happier if he had eased himself back into rugby in a more sedate way.

I think Slater and Sam both have an x factor. Each probably more suited to their motherland competition.
Sam was the best thing since sliced bread in SL before he headed off to the NRL.
We can only guess if SL would knock the x factor out of him too.

Currie is bigger, more skilful and faster than Bateman, Bateman wins on aggression, engine, defence and and sheer dogged determination, i'd love both in my SL team.

My guess is Bateman's defence sees him in the centres for England.

This is true. Like I said Currie is the better of the two....presently no he isn't...when in top form vs Bateman top form....there isn't that much between them.
I'd have both or either but I wouldn't like us to be without one.

Wow. De-riddle that one

Bateman is a steady player, never seen him take over a game though. Currie is a threat every time he touches a ban, Bateman also carries ban potential due to being a cheap shot artist.

Stanley Unwin meets William Shakespear?

Williams as had a late call to play on Saturday,Lomax as an injury. Nothing as been decided as to who plays full back yet.

Just reading the piece on BBC about Williams coming in for Lomax,the way it’s set up on there it’s if he is going to play Full back. I hope that is wrong otherwise what’s the point of Ratchford being there.

...Waiting for Williams to get injured so Ratchford gets to play in the final vs Aus

According to someone on VT Lomax is now out and the "nose" is in I presume that the 'wag means Ratchford?