Totally agree, strange bench IMO.

I think we've been hamstrung by SOL pulling out - as if he was available our best pack and bench IMO would have been:

Peacock
Moore
Graham
SOL
Ellis
Sinfield

Burgess
Morley
Carvell
Roby

From a Saints POV I like Kyle in there, but against Aus/NZ I would always go with 3 big forwards on the bench alongside Roby.

I've taken France +36 on the handicap.

I wouldn't complain about selection as much as I have if I wasn't worried. Our pack will struggle at times if Morley and Peacock are not on form. The backs should do the job. I really do fear if Myler is not fit though. Its 4 nations over if we lose.

Graham, Burgess, Ellis and Peacock are 80 minute players. Morley can give you 60 minutes. Between them they are more than capable of covering 80 minutes so I can see why he has done it and to be honest whats the point in bringing in a lesser prop just for 20 minutes when you have 4 awesome props like them 4 who can cover the time.

Moore is untested and so is Myler which is why he has both Roby and Eastmond on the bench.

Stop talking sense will you. Tony Smith has picked Myler for one reason, and one reason only. To pick on Tomkins and upset the posters on this board.

Now please return to the anti-Wire / Smith is a disgrace stuff etc etc blah blah blah.

Signed for warrington
Signed for warrington
Signed for warrington

Oh well then... now you say it, we will win the 4 nations.

fwiw i would have played tomkins and ratchford there who r the 2 form halfbacks coming upto the end of season and if that didnt work then put mcguire in with either 1 of them 2

Tbh i hope we get hammered tonight show the **** smith up

I really don't want to agree with you, but i'm finding it hard not to. F**king Pinnochio should have been sacked after the WC.

Yer, another Wiganer.................

Had the French a decent coach I'd be worried about tonight - but for choosing Goulding they deserve everything the Aussies and Kiwis will do to them.

Aye Rogues....my apologies but my fingers were getting tired, typing the amount of failings it takes to have a good season according to Tony Smith!

Am i on my own in wanting us to struggle abit tonight especially in attack in the hope that Smith will actually pick the correct side next week?

I'll be gutted if we put 60 points on them.

I'm hoping for a PNG style victory.

As I mention on the France v England thread, looking at the England team compared to the Leeds team that played Catalan, I think we could struggle. It was then highlighted to me that Goulding is their coach so I slept well last night

I pretty much agree with that. The points I would possibly add though are:

1) TS said he would pick on form. He quite obviously had no intention of doing so.

2) The way he has almost 'sacrificed' Sam to the press in order to 'talk up' Myler is a disgrace from a National coach. Whichever way you look at this it's a terrible dereliction of duty on his part and an abuse of his position as England coach.

3) Despite what you say about Myler being the more 'natural no.7' (which is a justifiable stance), at this time Sam is in better form, TS plays split halves so that becomes almost irrelevant and, most importantly, in the only game we have seen from the pair, Tomkins comprehensively outplayed Myler from both positions! Incidently (and just as an added extra if you like!), he also comprehensively outplayed Myler during the regular season in general and in particular when we played Salford.

And the side doesn't need an out and out organising scrum half because not only does he split the halfs but he's also selected Sinfield at loose forward who is basically a 3rd halfback in the side with the sole intention of organising it with his passing and kicking game.

Ah always good to hear.

Wouldn't that rule Sam out as well then? hes only a year older you need to chill out Sam will play at some point Myler has tonight to prove himself and to prove he is the right man to play alongside DM if not Sam will be in for the rest of the comp.

Very good point NK.

No it should not rule Sam out because the reason Smith has given for putting Myler in to the team is because of his organisations skills, but you watch the game and honestly tell me Myler directed us round the park. it will be McGuire and Sinny.

whats up upset we got smith and you didnt,

We will have to wait and see, but to say Myler is only in due to playing for us is wrong give him a chance I say, its not like with Sam playing we are a shoe in to win it, far too much jumping the gun and wire/wigan points scoring going on.

IMO I thought it would be Sam but then again this is only the first game its not the semi or final and clearly this is weakest team we will come up against.

I understand but this is the last game before the biggest game of the year, the biggest game some of these players will ever play. We should be playing the strongest team hitting off all the combos. At least you think it should be Sam but accept its Myler and not be blind like 99% of the fans on your board and just argue Myler should be in.

so why is he in he hasent played a competitive match since july 31st and dont go counting wales shouldnt be no where near that england squad backs should of been tomkins mcguire burrows and 1 of 2 from ratchford and eastmond

You're missing the point somewhat! It's not a question of whether we win or lose, who goes well or plays in future games or indeed, any of that. The fact is TS has broken his promise to 'pick on form' in order to favour his most recent signing. Myler has been gash for the back end of the season which, had he played well against Wales, wouldn't have mattered. The fact that he was comprehensively outplayed in that game by another young half back (as he has throughout the season too!) who now finds himself not only dropped, but having his achievements 'talked down' by Smith in order to justify his otherwise baffling selection, is frankly disgarceful! That's the only reason Wire are apparently getting criticism. It's an abuse of his power as England coach. It isn't the club that is coming under fire, just Smith himself.