I agree with Tony Smith's decision to select Tom Briscoe over Peter Fox. From watching him in Super League he looks shakey under the high ball, been caught out of position numerous times and knocks on when their is no-one around him. The match against Wakefield away was a shocker - he must have bombed at least 3 chances over the line. He wasn't inspiring against Wales whereas Tom Briscoe showed much more enthusiasm and took his tries very well. His second took some finishing. I called for Tom Briscoe to be brought in over Peter Fox and he has done this. Good call.

But Smith has now just stabbed himself in the foot. I don't know how he can select a player who hasn't played for months and wasn't particularly inspiring against Wales over a lad who scored a hat trick, setup numerous tries in a man of the match performance,was voted young player of the year ahead of him and was voted the best stand off in Super League. I am amazed. He can play scrum half, in fact, some say that SH is his best position. He would have done a great job. Shocking decision.

Not only is it a poor decision but it looks very unprofessional IMO and has put me in two minds whether to go the England and Australia game. In fact I can sympathise with Jonh in just not watching the game at all.

How can our international team possibly progress with a part time coach? And how can we justify some of Tony Smith's selections as not being biased?

Simply we should not have the Head Coach of England as a coach at any other club.

That Tony Smith is a strange bloke, but there must be a method to his madness
Time will tell

Astonishing decision by Smith.

Over the years I've thought on many occasions that RL had reached new depths of absurity, only to find that yet again those in positions of authority have more ludicrous surprises up their sleeves.

Unless this is a cunning long term plan to help France regain some credibility on the world stage.

Let's face it, with that side England are far from guaranteed to beat the French.

I am not looking forward to the England v Australia game. We are going to get thrashed. I fully expect us to lose by at least 30 points. Does anyone know what the record home defeat to Australia is?

12-50 I think (Swinton 1963)

Oh and the 2004 final 4-44

Oh dear. 38 points may not be enough. Realistically I think avoiding that losing margin may be the best we can aim for.

The best we can aim for is that the Aussies either take pity on us or can't be ars*d to put more points on us after the game is won.

Only 30?

I think some people would take a 30point margin, I know I would!

I honestly can't believe he's chosen Myler over Tomkins. It's astounded me, a hat-trick hero, in great form and he get's dropped for a player who co-incidently will be at Wire next season?

Do England RL a favour Tony, quit now.

I was there that day. Gasnier was superb.

The only thing I will say about the Tomkins omission is that I hope Smith has the balls to take Sam to one side and explain why he has made the decision.

It could be that he wants to give other players a go who haven't played since the grand final.

I do think that Sam will play at Wigan.

I said at least 30!

Yes, I'd take a thirty point defeat too!

I'm going to the game because international RL needs all the support it can get, but I'm going out of a sense of duty rather than because I'm looking forward to it. (Well, if I'm honest and its not unpatriotic to admit it, I am looking forward to seeing some of the Aussie players. Having grown up watching world class players every home game at CP, these days in the Soopah Doopah League you don't get to see many world class players in the course of an entire season... it will be nice to be reminded of what RL should be about... superb athletes with fantastic skills... but obviously the downside is that they will thrash us...)

[url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/oct/21/sam-tomkins-england-france-four-nationsAt least one journo has a pair of bollox - pity about the typos[/url

Don't think I'll bother watching on Friday. Just watch Aus v NZ on Saturday.

Are you Andy Wilson????

I'm Andy and so is my wife

So that explains everything to me

I don't think even Smith would dare not play ONE Wiganer in front of their home fans!

Can't believe that Sinny is is in the 17 to be fair!
1.....2......3.......

This is Tony "Wire" Smith we are talking about, howt could happen, would he change a winning team if we beat the French comfortably

Why would Smith be bothered who he selects depending on where they play? I can't see him selecting players based on the stadium where the match is being played.



















[size=75But he should select Sam just on form alone!![/size

he might be saving Sam for the big games ?

If we get beat by France tomorrow I fear it could be too late!

But that would be more or less hanging Sam out to dry. No proper preparation, not playing with whichever half-back partner he will need to gel with, only playing Tomkins in the games we are likely to get mullered in etc. Anyway, judging by what TS says I can't see that as his plan.

He paid lip-service to Sam's talent by playing him against Wales. He was then hard-faced enough to read a preprepared script about how Sam didn't really cut it, despite Sam's strong showing. He was then free to play Myler against France (maybe fulfilling part of his promise to Myler when the lad signed for Wire), in the full knowledge that should Myler have a decent game against the French, which is highly likely and would be no measure of the lad at all, he will then be justified in picking him to face Aus.

Tony Smith was exposed by his complete lack of leadership and discipline during our last international escapade. That put a big questionmark against his ability. Thus far, this latest debacle puts a questionmark against his integrity. In any normal sport, he'd already have been shown the door, but RL in Britain, as we all know, is the ultimate case of lions led by donkeys - in which case Smith fits right in.

Personally, I'm with a lot of Wiganers on this one. How the hell you can pick an inexperienced player who hasn't played since about July is beyond me.

The thing thats pleased me most about the reactions to Sam being left out is that it's not only Wigan fans that are miffed about it and the majority of fans can see through Smiths motives for it happening.

As an England fan i'm still excited to see both Myler and Eastmond in action tonight as they're superb young players but bias aside i believe Tomkins has proved himself the best of the 3 yet he doesn't get a place. I can take him being left out on the chin but when Smith comes out and starts making ridiculous statements about 1 game or 3 trys not making a season it makes it really tough to take.