General observations from the group stages as follows:

1) In S Burgess, G Burgess, Hill and Graham England have 4 top props. Mossop and T Burgess should only get a look in if there are injuries. I much prefer Sam Burgess as prop than loose

2) Roby should play every game

3) I have actually been pleasantly surprised by Cudjoe - I have never really rated him but a few really selfish bits a play aside I think generally he has gone well

4) Sinfield has played well in every game and deserves his place on merit

5) Tomkins has been solid if unspectacular - that is not a criticism, it is just nice to know England can still turn it on without having to rely on him to do it all for us

Brough may not have been in the coaches plans in June. Brett Ferres wasn't in the plans recently either. He stayed English, got a chance and took it with both hands. Brough became Scottish....again.

Really hard to me to get behind that sort of "character". Easy to root for someone like Ferres.

he left wakey because his contract demands were stupid and the giants paid off his £35k gambling debts. he left for money, pure and simple

If true...and it sounds plausible....there can be no doubt Brough would not or would never have been a desirable addition to the recent successful championship winning team.

Aye those were the days: a team of disjointed clashing personality Brough-like prima donnas.

Couldn't agree more.

And having waited for his chance, Ferres has looked as good as any 2nd row in the tournament so far, with the exception of SBW.

Sure is and its also easy to root for a long standing player who always give his all, unconditionally IMHO.