He might help us win the 4 nations and give the English game a shot in the arm. I don't think he will as it happens, but Tony Smith chooses the squad. If he was retiring from the sport to become an insurance salesman or a publican would you be so against his inclusion? I'm sure plenty of players have announced they intended to retire before tournaments start - you have to try to win today as well as build for tomorrow.

It'd be mad if Leeds had dropped Smith for the GF, or Saints had dropped Long for that matter.

I can see your argument in that you should pick the best players available at this moment in time ie not because of age or building for future World Cups etc. Its why I think Keith Senior should be left centre because he is currently the best left centre who qualifies for England. I am more surprised that Waps are happy to let him play and delay going to them for another month.

Yeah I was surprised too. Maybe Edwards doing his bit for inter-code relations. Senior has looked as good as ever, this year, so I'd agree with you there as well. Lee Smith, who ironically I've always talked down, can play anywhere in the backs to a moderate standard and that is useful in a 24 man squad.

I actually think Smith may well be cover for Briscoe at full back looking at the squad make up.

Cannot understand O'Loughlin at centre though (if it is in preperation for the Aussies). Its almost like saying we cant beat you in attack in the centres so we are playing a strong defender!

One, thats a negative attitude which probably will not work against Inglis et al anyway and two stopping a young English centre (Shenton, Clubb?) from playing against him at this level. Surely the best experience a kid can get is playing in the big games?

Seems bizarre doesn't it? What will we learn about whether it is a viable tactic vs NWZ or Aus in a game against an extremely weak looking Wales team? Shenton is playing tonight iirc, but Clubb or one of a handful of others could have had a confidence building run out. If O'Loughlin plays centre in the 4 nations, it'd show T. Smith has lost all faith in English 3/4s, IMO. Sometimes you can see the sense in an unorthodox idea - Pryce in the centres, for example. But this is very leftfield. Tbh, it is so strange, I'd kind of dismissed the idea it'll be used again - you've worried me a bit.

It may not be the plan but with Bridge on the bench who at least is a centre of sorts there really is no need to play O'Loughlin at centre.

Whoever plays opposite Inglis is in for a torrid time but I would rather it be a young English centre who could learn from the experience because all the coaching and training in the world will not provide the experience of actually playing against him.

Well it shouldnt be Sykes as back up after tonights performance!!

Fox's performance tonight worries me if he is selected to face the Aussies or Kiwis, glaring errors in attack and defence. Tom was ok though.

Briscoe had a decent game albeit with little ball to speak of. Fox bombed his only chance, although it was stripped rather than dropped.

It must be a great comfort for you after such a dissappointing 2 years watching (and paying for it) .

Obviously Tom was played on the left as the better left winger of the two too!!

Smith has told Briscoe he could still feature in 4 Nations if one of the first-choice outside backs gets injured. Is Fox still a first choice back on tonight's showing?

I hope the 2 get switched for England's sake.

The alternative would be Lee Smith, and I'd still put Fox ahead of him. He got involved well carrying the ball out of defence, which is a big part of his game, and looked energetic. That said, he could have done to have finished his chance (credit to the defender though) to boost his confidence. Playing on the right outside O'Loughlin and then Bridge was definately the short straw.

I'd play Fox for the French game, which will be more of a 'normal' match, then see how it goes from there.

If players can be called up to replace injured players I think the argument for including Smith and Sykes for their versatility is a bit weak.


Who do people think the centres will be for the 4 nations now? Shenton was only okay, and O'Loughlin did nothing much there to justify that bit of out of the box thinking.

Lee Smith & Shenton. Says it all about our squad. Senior & Gleeson have been found wanting at international level, but they are miles ahead of what we will field this year.

Yeah, I'd have had Fox on the left too.



Briscoe did well to get on the end of a couple of things, especially for his second try. I think he'll be an international regular in the future and given his injury disrupted season he has done well to get anywhere near to contention.

Fox though has earned his chance, dream team 2009, 32 tries for Rovers in two seasons etc. A couple of tries for Tom Briscoe, one a walk in, against a weak Wales team isn't enough for him to leapfrog into the team - yet.

I hope Shenton does get the chance at centre in the 4 nations he has the potential to be a very good player.

Got hardly any decent ball tonight I thought.

peter fox has more experience then briscoe,but briscoe has far more potential.although fox has scored a fair amount of tries, he hasnt half bombed a lot of chances as well.unfortunatly hes one of the better ones of a bad bunch of english backs,so he is there on merit.none of our backs would even make the aussie reserves.
personally id rather blood the young players so they can see 1st hand the standard they have to reach to compete with the aussies

Are you as daft as your posts make you appear, or are you just putting on an act?

Didn't get to watch the game last night & reading through the posts it doesn't seem like a great performance against a poor Welsh side. Are we going to be any competition for the Aussies??

There is no rumour about it. I KNOW that you are in financial worries.

No

I'm waiting for you to be asked to prove that statement. Now that Neil H polices these boards and has the libel stick out big time i'm expecting your post to be removed or challenges asap.

Briscoe scores two tries on his debut against a weak Welsh team and its the highlight of Fc's season....says it all really !!!

And then there was Fox ........

I know. Still, could be worse. Say if Fox's performance last night was the highlight of our season.