I accept the point that the game has major problems, and that the RFL always seem to be looking for reasons not to take brave decisions, but professional RL in Britain is on the verge of not being taken seriously by anyone at all (except when it comes to providing new crutches for the ever embarrassing England RU team) - and I totally fail to see how England RL yet again being absolutely tw0tted by the Australians will help with that.

The RFL are slowly but surely shifting their position on key issues like the salary cap because even they can no longer afford to ignore the talent drain. It can only help us retain these players and increase interest further afield if we can show that RL still has great potential at international level. It may also help shake the Aussies up a little, because at present I'm sure they feel they are so far ahead of us that we may as well be competing in different sports.

Ideally I'd like to keep Carvell in but I don't think McNamara will.

He may as well leave Widdop out for Ellis if he's only going to get 3 minutes again and that may a route he'll take.

Form wise the call probably should be for Heighington to miss out with Wlkin going to loose forward but again it's an option I don't see Macca taking.

Why lose Wilkin? He was excellent on Saturday. Heighington is the one player whose presence on that pitch is a mystery to me. He adds nothing. I'd say drop him, move Wilkin to loose (since Sinfield will no doubt be playing at 6) and put Ellis back in.

Ellis is going to start so Wilkin is going to lose the starting 2nd row spot. I just think JJB offers more impact from the bench and one poor tackle apart Heighington offers better defence. Close call but we can't go with 3 props again.

I think Heighington's been our worst forward this series, so much for that gulf in class between SL and NRL. Sinfield should move to 13, Widdop to 6 and go with 4 props. Shame neither Lockers or Sam Burgess are fit though!

Heighington is our weak link even the Aussies are laughing at us playing him, Them saying they would be 5 or 6 in front of him before he was even thought about over there, They are saying he would never of had worn a green n gold shirt even if he decided on being an Aussie.

No WAY does Heighington offer better defence than Jon Wilkin! Were you watching the same game as me on Saturday? Say what you like about Wilkin's kicking game - it's usually crap with occasional brilliance (more like good luck!) or about his lack of impact (he isn't that sort of second rower) - but Wilkin is superb in defence. Way better than Heighington.

Heighington is just a shining example of the bollox so many English spout when talking about the NRL. He's only got a spot because he plays in the NRL thanks to the coach buying in to that same bollox.

I've watched ALL three games so far and Heighington is far more dominant in the tackle which is what will be needed on Saturday.

As long as he doesnt get dumped on his backside and let an easy try through like last time we played them.

I did say one poor tackle apart earlier. Because he plays in the NRL some people's expectations seem considerably higher than if he played here.

I've watched all the games so far too but I'd still have Wilkin in over him. Here are their stats from Saturday, both having played the full 80 minutes if memory serves:

[uWilkin[/u
Tackles - 30
Missed tackles - 0
Carries - 15
Metres - 50
Clean breaks - 0
Offloads - 3
Errors - 0
Penalties - 0
Kicks - 1

[uHeighington[/u
Tackles - 27
Missed tackles - 1
Carries - 9
Metres - 40
Clean breaks - 0
Offloads - 2
Errors - 0
Penalites - 0
Kicks - 0

And Wilkin set up one try.

You'd pick Heighington over Wilkin because Heighington is more dominant in the tackle. I can't see how that needs to be a deciding factor given that for the most part our tackling was two/three in at a time. Wilkin performed better. He should stay.

I was amazed to read that SamTomkins only made two tackles. Incredible. And he missed one on top of that.

Just imagine if Lockers was fit, them other two wouldnt get near lacing his boots. He would of been ideal for the battle on Saturday

Pretty sure Heighington didn't play 80 mins on Saturday as I thought he came off at least once when JJB went on, not sure on Wilkin. Stats means nothing in terms of tackle effectiveness and domination, your two/three player tackle comment just shows your lack of understanding when trying to prove something that can't be proven with stats.

Lockers is better then every back rower in the comp apart from Sam Thaiday and Gareth Ellis IMO. His loss has been underestimated but fair play to Wilkin and JJB because they've stepped up to the plate whereas Heighington has been nothing more then ok.

I'm not one of these against picking players who qualify on ancestry, residancy etc but I do want us to pick the best available talent and Heighington so far hasn't looked any better then a guy like Harrison Hansen who could I'm sure still play for England if he was selected.

I'm not saying pick Hansen by the way but just using him as an example of underated talent.

Wilkin played the full 80, I've never rated him but he was excellent on Saturday. We still need 4 props this week though and either Widdop or one of the backrowers would have to miss out for that to happen. McNamara will go with the same team as for France, Wales and Aus though I reckon.

I'm more than happy having both Heighington and Wilkin available for England, even better when Lockers is back.

I'm not trying to prove anything. I'm showing why I think Jon Wilkin should be playing on Saturday. There was no reference to him setting up Briscoe's try but that was one factor in my reasoning. It was you who put emphasis on dominance in the tackle. I'm not sure how dominant James Roby is in the tackle but would you drop him on that basis? My point was that you cannot criticise Wilkin for his defence. He didn't miss a tackle. Whether dominant or not, he worked hard in defence and always does. And he brings other qualities to the game which Heighington does not and which cannot be measured by stats, such as the nature of his passing. He started the ball rolling for Hall's second try at Wembley by spotting and passing sublimely to Tomkins. His quick and accurate (and not forward) pass to Yeaman set up Briscoe's try. He has a wonderful passing game and a great step. I haven't seen anything like that from Heighington.

You were the one who had a problem with my view that I'd keep Heighington in the team and the reason why. I don't know where you get this thing that I've criticised Wilkin's defence because I haven't anywhere, just that I feel Heighington offers more in an aspect of defence that will be vital on Saturday. The rolling out of meaningless stats and other guff just shows you can't take the Red V spec off.

Now that is a childish way to end your post! I've said that Wilkin's kicking game is crap. So how can I be taking a biased view? You criticised Wilkin's defence. You didn't begin by saying Wilkin isn't dominant enough for you in defence; you criticised his defence. I said that Wilkin's defence cannot be criticised and that is when you brought in dominance in the tackle. I brought in stats. Both dominance in the tackle and stats could be deemed irrelevant because each member of the team brings something different. Wilkin doesn't bring great dominance in the tackle but he brings hard work in defence. Which do we need more against the Aussies? Well, on past performances, I'd say the latter. Do we need someone who can create opportunities? Yes. Wilkin brings that. Heighington does not. Wilkin brings stuff of more value to the party than Heighington does. And if all you can do is separate the two by the degree of dominance in the tackle then I'd say you were clutching at straws to defend your position.

And I'd like to add that I wouldn't want either Westwood or JJB dropped either as they are very good in their way too, which is predominantly but not exclusively to punch holes going forward, something that Wilkin struggles to do, as indeed is accurately reflected in their respective stats.

Deary me. WHERE do I criticise Wilkin's defence? That's twice you've said it now - show the quotes.

Of course I didn't so it makes the rest of your comments the usual fog-knitting deflection when you've been found out talking rubbish.

Can you not bypass the swear filter please.

Thanks.

Back to the original point. It would mean the following to me

1) I'd be proud of the lads because, for at least a few months, they'd be the best team in the world.
2) I'd be proud that they'd beaten a super team in Australia Rugby League
3) I'd be over the moon to stick two fingers up, not at the arrogant Aussies who dismiss us, but to all those doom-mongerers who whine on about how we can never compare to the NRL, blah, blah, blah
4) I'd be even more inspired for the next international fixtures.
5) I'd be hopeful that the above point 4) would apply not just to positive supporters like myself, but may have an effect on those who don't give international rugby the attention and support it deserves.
6)I'd hope that it gets us some better national press coverage.
7) I'd hope that, beating both Aus and NZ (easily), would mean the aussies changed their attitude towards our lads, and that you'd see more large NRL contract offers coming this way because of their new salary cap. If this was to happen, sky would have to rethink their offer to stop a player drain away from their product, therefore increasing our revenue and our clubs' ability to compete with Union and NRL clubs.

Maybe 7's a long shot.

Hi Sam

I'm now 40yrs old and have never seen England/GB win a series against Australia. I've seen Wigan win everything over and over but if England can beat the aussies this weekend it would be the happiest day of my life as a rugby league fan. This is a great chance for our sport to grab some much deserved national acclaim this weekend and I hope the lads grab it with both hands. All credit to Steve Macnamara (who has remained dignified in the face of some extremely hostile critisism) and the rfl for his appointment. I think rugby league is heading in the right direction in this country in the face of some stiff competition. Success this weekend will encourage fans to turn out in larger numbers in future thereby increasing the revenues for the rfl to allow the sport to be on the pedestal it deserves. COME ON ENGLAND...YOU CAN DO IT LADS.

I have a bunch of things I would like to happen before i Tail it,and the main one is US beating the Aussies in a series /a competion