I had reservations about ablett being picked but having watched the game I thought he did well and didn't let anyone down

If there weren't so many antipodeans filling key positions at the top clubs, perhaps the England coach may have had better alternatives than to base his side around one club that has shown commitment to developing English talent? As for the game itself, the standard was poor even given the conditions, and the number of withdrawals tells you how highly the players and clubs rate it. Be surprised if it lasts beyond this year - a quarter full Galpharm could be the final straw.

Generally I have to agree, with the exception of JJB who is pick of the crop of Leeds's forwards this year. I don't recall him being any worse than Hock that's for sure. When he finally got on the pitch he seemed to be tackling everything.

I also agree regarding Ablett, but have to admit he acquitted himself reasonably well. However its a sad state of affairs when we pick "solid" over talent. I suppose it's the same reason Kevin S was picked at SO.

I would agree with much of what you have posted but for the fact that apart from Hall, Roby and Tomkins you could say the above about the entire team. Your criticism of Ablett gives away your club bias as he was obviously strong on defence, tidy and comfortable with the ball. He was never going to get quality ball from that half back pairing in those conditions to attack with. With a little pace he would be, by some distance, the best all around English centre we have. Would he be my ideal choice at for England - of course not, but he definately doesn't deserve singling out based on last night's display.
As for Burrow, I'm not sure what he was expected to do because watching him I couldn't work out what position he was actually supposed to be playing? He wasn't 9 he wasn't 7, WTF was he? Second row? I suspect he was chucked on with the thought that "he's Burrow, he'll just do something". Awesome coaching.

Sinflield and Chase doesn't work. Kev just can't play 6 with that amout of pace, but his task was not helped by having Rangi Chase running around sideways across the front of him like a headless chicken. Chase is a complete liability, he's so out of his depth I'm surprised he didn't drown in the wet grass. His defence consists of being hopeless for 90% of the time then running up and trying to get sent off for the other 10%. His attack onsists of desperately trying to do something himself, when he's run around for 5 minutes looking for space that doesn't exist then he thinks about maybe he should give it to a teamate.

I thought it also highlighted the "quality" of the international "stars" that we recruit into the game over here. Absolute rubbish, poor basic skills and really never in a game against one of the poorest looking England teams I've ever seen. Do we really need this hoard of average back row forwards and one dimensional props? Tommy Leuleui - yes - quality of the highest order - the rest? Come on - we don't need them.

That's the glaring problem though.....Ablett just doesn't have the pace.

As for 'Chase's attack', substitite the name Burrow in there instead and it would read pretty much the same

However, nitpicking aside (Ablett has all the other skills to be a top club, if not international, centre ....and Burrow does at least have the knack of at times devastatingly breaking that first line of defence for him to be excused 'running around').....I wholeheartedly agree with ALL you have written. Sad indictment on the game really.