The easy option then would surely have been to select Burrow?

I get the impression it could be a bit of reverse psychology in that "I'm going to drop all the players that everone else said underperformed, and pick some inexperienced youth in their place so no one can blame me".

The only area this strategy falls down on is the selection of Lee Smith, which is the right thing to do for this series, hardly screams "planning for the future"...

It's been the most bizarrely selected squad for many a year...

that's a bit childish by your usual standards.

As it is I disagree. I think you pick the best squad you can to win on merit. Smith is there on merit. By seasons end he was probably the second best English centre in the league after Senior.

Add in the utility value he offers and the lack of quality threequarters at Smith's disposal I think it was a no brainer once Smith made himself available.

Why is it?

Westwood has been an integral part of Smith's international teams since he took over. Its' hardly surprising.

I rate him. If he could cut out his penalties he'd be a very good player.

I too think its' strange to have a half back and hooker on the bench but i assume he won't be doing that against the Aussies or Kiwis.

Myler, it would appear, is the new golden child of Rugby league and form and performances are irrelevant.

One wonders why the likes of Bridge and Sykes are in the squad but not in the team to face France. Surely he's not saving them to unleash them upon the Kiwis or Aussies??

I agree with what yer saying G but don't you think it smacks of hypocrisy on TS's part?????
Afterall he's said his squad is selected with an eye on the future for GB/England yet L.Smith buggers off to union at the end of november!
Then again he says he's selected his squad on form yet leaves out Burrow,Tompkins and Senior yet picks Myler and Sykes

As you know I'm a great believer in International Rugby League and bringing kids through.

I would much rather we had played Hall or Lawrence. Smith is not going to be around in RL for the next few years. There would have been uproar on here if Andy Farrell or Jason Robinson had been picked for England RL after saying they were leaving to go to Rugby Union, and you know there would.

Oh and both those were much better players than Lee Smith.

It's the principle, that's wrong, and I'd have the same view regardless of club.

Please no.

Someone has to hold the tackle bags in training.

The principal of picking the players that give you the best chance to win?

Follow that principle through and ask why Jamie Peacock is playing ahead of Louie McCarthy Scarsbrook.

I am a great believer in International Rugby League. I think International Rugby League would flourish if we could win this series. I think to do that you pick the best team available to you. Smith is available.

Your example of Farrell and Robinson is moot because I don't think a scenario like this ever occurred.

I wasn't a fan of Noble as GB coach but one sentiment he expressed that I do agree with is that international jerseys should be earned and not handed out just because of what you might think some you kid could, potentially do in the future.

The main reason we struggled so much in the World Cup (and there were a lot of reasons, many of Tony Smith's making) was that we didn't take enough Props over there in the first place. I'd hoped with this squad including Crabtree and Carvell, Smith had seen his error and would *put two bloody props on the bench and spell the forwards more effectively so that Peacock and Morley aren't shot by the time we play NZ*. But no, Tony Smith doesn't make mistakes. Tony Smith is right all along. We'll see.

I wouldn't be surprised with a PNG 2008-style game vs. France.

Not sure if this has already been mentioned but this is a real chance for Sinfield to stamp his authority on the international scene and stake a claim for future captaincy.

Spot on.
Once Fassavalou (sp) got injured we wwre shot.

Oh and Smith also only took one specialised fullback, who had a nightmare series.

Depends how Smith uses him.

If he uses him in the same pivot role he plays at Leeds he'll do just fine.

If he does what he's done with him since he took the England job (and Noble/Waite before him did) and ask him to play as a running loose forward then he'll struggle and the usual "not good enough at that level" voices will be out in force.

Still, at least unlike both Waite and Noble he seems to have figured out that he needs to be selected at loose forward, not stand off or hooker.