Its not about being the first player on the team sheet, but there is no point having a captain who isn't playing most minutes of most games. McNamara clearly sees a place for Sinfield. Pervious coaches have seen him as a bit part player, 6 some games, 13 others, 9 often. Sometimes not even in the squad. If McNamara has Sinfield as a long temr member of the squad and sees him as a key part of what England do, then I would be in favour of him being captain. If he's only in there because there's no-one better then there's no point.

If we need a new England captain, then we should look at a long term solution. Someone who has been picked game after game, year after year. Ellis, Graham and Roby fit the bill for me, though Ellis at 30 may be a little old for Long Term.

I appreciate what you mean, but in terms of getting us through the NZ game, then hopefully the 4 nations final I think Sinfield is the obvious choice. A decision on who will lead us into the World Cup can be made nearer the time. The job is still JP's at the moment though, until he says otherwise!!!

If Peacock is out then Sinfield should be given the job on the basis that the role is second nature to him, he's integral to this current team and appears Imperturbable.

The question of who leads the team after this tournament is irrelevant for now.

Agree 100%.
Also IF changes are to be made then at the very least Chase should be benched for Mags to start at 7 imo.
I would also rule out Ellis ,Graham AND JP if they aren't 100% because this is gonna be a fierce match imo and we can't afford to carry forwards at anything less than 95%.

Agree totally this is the point I was trying to make earlier

Where does this leave us if they are in the 95-99% bracket? And how will we measure their percentage fitness?

At this time of year I doubt you'll find a fully fit forward anywhere. If the doctor says they can play, then pick them.

If they have a 50/50 chance then it's a gamble i wouldn't take.
I mentioned 95% because i know they aren't "fully fit" without bumps and niggles this time of year.
Any kind of injury that's gonna be a gamble really isn't worth taking imo no matter who the player is because as we've seen many times in the past it back-fires and we are up sh## creek without a paddle.

We fill our team with forriners & pick a ginner as captain. No wonder RL is going down the pan etc.