Does anybody rate shenton or is he one of a bad bunch of centre's? Atkins is ok and Tomkins is coming on in the position but I'm still not sure about shenton?

This is a joke. Please, someone tell me this is a joke...

There are some shockers on that list, but the biggest issue is the omission of Mossop.

Mossop's exclusion isn't a joke, it's an insult to a lad who is already one of the best players in the competition and has massive potential.

If anything good can come out of this travesty it will be that MM will be able to use this as an extra motivational tool for Saturday for Lee. Possibly the only thing missing from his game is a bit of nasty, and if he can unleash his frustration on Wire in a controlled manner then he can show everyone just how good he is and play a big part in our pack dominating the Wolfs.

Still, it's an absolute scandal.

That bench is shocking imo. Carvell should be in ahead of Peacock, Mossop shouldn't be far behind (better than Crabtree this year).

Ben Harrison isn't a good pick for a bench 2nd rower, I'd probably go with Joel Tomkins (as he can cover the centre positions as well), as Ellis + Westwood can do 80 minutes anyway.

Myler on the bench? Not sure. I'd rather have Johnny Lomax, can cover every position in the backs as well as being a better HB (overall, imo) as well as being able to do a spell at hooker.

As for the centres, I think Shentons lucky if he keeps his place. Not pulling up any trees in saints team, whereas Bridge is the best English centre we've got. Bridge and possibly Yeaman (deserves a chance, anyone but Welham mind)

He's a decent centre in a bad bunch.

Our 3/4s are poor. We have the worst set of wingers and centres since the early 80s.

I wouldn't be confident either. We are going to get hammered by the Aussies. Even if we picked the right players though we'd still struggle - we'd have a decent pack but our 3/4s are awful.

another masterstroke from McHaventgotaclue

Tom Briscoe is a brilliant winger IMO, and is in good form at the moment.

I'd take that 1-5 over the 2000 world cup team (Radlinski, Walker, Naylor, Senior, Wellens). Walker and Wellens on the wings and Scott Naylor at centre!!!

A back 5 of:

Tomkins
Briscoe
Shenton
Pryce
Hall

isn't as shambolic as some suggest IMO.

Bridge in for Shenton and its even better. I agree btw, I'd consider Pryce at centre if he can keep fit.

Yes true, forgot about Bridge. Definitely a better bet than Shenton on form.

Bridge and Atkins / yeamon would be my centres out that squad. Maybe it's just me but I would put Pryce anywhere near it!

The Aussies will be shi..ing bricks when they see this squad!

I dont rate Shenton at all. I'd go with Tomkins and Bridge in the centres because they are the best defensively. Greg Inglis would be absolutely destroy Welham.

Tomkins misses a lot more tackles than Shenton and makes a lot more errors. Shenton has also shown up well in an England shirt in the past.

I do rate Tomkins highly though - he could well seal himself a spot if he proves he can hack it in the big games coming up.

How has mossop not got into that team? He's been head and shoulders above many props this year. Shambolic coaching setup for england god only knows why they didnt ask waney to be an assistant.

Very average, although i agree with your selections. It is what it is, but we are in for a pasting come the four nations.



Its a joke, building for the future he says!

Tomkins misses tackles? Must be a different Tomkins than I'm watching? Tomkins is miles better than Shenton already and it's only his first season in that position. He's not giving the pens away out there either!

S.Tomkins
T.Briscoe
C.Bridge
L.Pryce
R.Hall
G.Widdop
D.Brough
J.Graham
J.Roby
G.Carvell
G.Ellis
B.Westwood
S.O'loughlin

Bench...

L.Robinson
A.Morley
A.Lynch
G.Hock

Thats what i'd go with at the moment aslong as Pryce and Hock improve and both stay fit.

I suppose he must be, yes.

Shenton: Tackles 526, Missed Tackles 20 (0.038% of tackles missed).
Tomkins: Tackles 336, Missed Tackles 19 (0.057% of tackles missed).

So for every two tackles Shenton misses, Tomkins misses three.

I'm not saying Shenton is a better bet than Tomkins, just questioning the rationale that Tomkins should be in based upon his better defence.

We're missing a vital point here - whilst we debate the mertis/flaws of Shenton and Tomkins, McNamara is planning a team without either of them...

To be fair, neither would be centre in my team - if SM goes with Pryce/Bridge, he's probably picked the most talented players available to him.

With regard to Bridge, hasn't he been playing loose for Warrington this year? Or was that just last week?

Think Mossop and Hock might have another reason to have a big game on Saturday after they've seen that list.

(Not suggesting Hock should be there on form as he's only played 4 times btw, just think he'll fancy his chances of getting in the 4N squad)

Pryce was good 3 years ago but has been an injury prone also ran since then. I like bridge and I like Atkins to a point.

I tend to think a good big un is better than a good little un against the Aussies with the emphasis on them being good!

I've enjoyed this thread though. Some very different opinions but most agreeing that the manager is pants!

Frankly, this is just nonsense

To be honest it makes me wonder what the point is in the England squad/team. Players aren't being picked on form, so why are they being picked? Because they used to be good, because they might come back well from an injury, because they have a big reputation? The longer McNamara is in charge the more I wonder if I'd rather that Wigan players weren't picked in the England squad. What's the point in them being "coached" by a coach that is clearly poor in comparison to our club coach, and playing in a team full of players who either don't seem to care they are playing for their country or quite frankly are going to be embarassed at the highest level as they simply aren't good enough. Don't get me wrong, I want England to win and be the best, but quite frankly, we have no hope with the likes of McNohope and his band of merry past-its.