The more I think about Tomkins the more I feel England need an organising halfback/hooker to get the pack going forward, the opposition on the back foot and give him space to run into. It says to me that a McGuire/Tomkins combo won't work, then again where is this elusive organiser?

The only way I could see it working, is for the likes of Newton to come in at hooker.

I agree as neither has a kicking game.

That’s why regardless of form it was a stupid, stupid idea to leave Burrow out as he’s the closest thing we have to an organising SH.

It’s a sad indictment of the game today when we are looking at either Myler or Tomkins to lead us round the park. We can’t fall back on the older players like Burrow, Maguire & Pryce or even retired players like Long as they’ve all been tested at this level and found wanting.

Australia on the other hand could pick a combo of about 6 or 7 players that would all walk into the current England side. With this not being a knock out tournament as well it means if we do get lucky in the one off game we won’t get that lucky again.

Indeed. If the Aussie pack are crucifying ours, then no half back on our shores will trouble them.

O'Loughlin in the centres to deal with Inglis I presume? Good luck.

Sorta highlights our weaknesses as a nation doesn't it.

You get Inglis at centre...we have to do with Lockers.

If Tomkins doesn't play and Myler does, it will prove once and for all that International RL is pointless.

Myler is in there because he agreed to join Warrington, no other reason.

As are other Wire players Westwood, Higham and Bridge.

Its utterly pathetic.

Higham has been out all season and hasn't managed to play well since. Bridge, imo he should be no where near an international shirt on current form. Westwood, maybe, if there are no other battering rams available, but there are, and the alternative battering rams can also play decent footy.

In the second row ahead of Westwood imo would be:

-Ellis
-Burgess (ok, hes played prop all year, but I don't think there is space for him as anything other than back-up behind Graham, Morley, Peacock and LMS)
-Westerman (not going to be our loose, but I see no reason why he couldn't do a job in the second row)
-JJB

In fact, I'd rather see Keith Senior in the second row than Westwood, I just don't rate the bloke.

I can't believe the squad Smith has picked. Maybe he has picked it because he knows the strengths and weaknesses of the Wire players better, maybe he ahs picked it out of some stupid promise he has made, maybe he has picked it to make his Wire players (who surely must be his priority now) better players and give Wire a better chance of breaking the top 2 next year.

Which ever reason it is, it's wrong.

I think McGuire is mature enough to organise now and let Tomkins loose abit wider, but at least you were thinking until the last line!

sinfield will be the organiser.

hopefully he can step up to the plate then, something he has never been able to do before

How these 3 have got International recognition is beyond belief !!!!!

And what excuses will you come out with if and when he has a great game. It works both ways so it's not worth mentioning.

I didn't think Higham was in the squad. The selection choices of one man don't mean a whole sport is on its ar$e. Whoever pulls on that England shirt will get my full support. Personally I'd go with McGuire and Sam.

I think Eastmond at 4, McGuire at 6, Tomkins at 7 and Sinfield at 13 would be the right choices. Sinfield to organise and kick, McGuire to support half breaks and Tomkins to run and step all game. I think we'll miss Pryce, particularly in defence, he's very strong for a back and might have done a better job of containing those big pacey backs we'll be up against.

Sorry, but little Kyle in the centres will get slaughtered.

I know, I wish Senior was there because he's a hardnut but he's not been selected, I wish Pryce was outside Eastmond because he's strong but not selected either. At least Eastmond will be able to create a try or two.

I'd be looking at Ellis. Dear me, we are so short of quality centres in this country!

maybe not, Lockers will maybe get cslaughtered for pace

Not sure about that one, I understand your thinking in that Ellis will be strong enough but I'm pretty sure he wouldn't be fast enough, same as Lockers and same as Wilkin. Whoever plays there needs to be able to slide quick on the line, hence my selection of Eastmond, mind his defensive worries are a pain, there really is no one who will be up to it, especially when our backline is further weakened by squad selections IMO.

I agree with the pace statement

I agree with what you're saying, but if we're looking for some defence in the centres i'd play Ellis there before Lockers, am i going mad or did Ellis at least used to be a centre?

he has stood in at cntre for leeds when they were short now and again

Yes you are



Seriously tho he was a centre at Wakey before he went to Leeds i remember that.

You were a Centre at Wakey before Ellis went to Leeds?



How many games did you play?

100's!! GB call up and everything