Got to disagree there.
JP for me every time without doubt.

Completely agree AG it's a point that's been over-looked by many when wanting to stick the boot into sinfield at international level!

Me too but that is not the point I was making. I will illustrating that you don't simply discard players because they may not be around to play international Rugby in the distant future.

Take your word for it. I never inhaled I know we are supposed to hate saints players here, but Ade Gardner, an average at best player, is a better player than Peter Fox, who should now be beginning to peak in his career, and he still isnt really a threat'"

Good point well put,but tbf mate TS did say at the press conference that this squad was picked with a view to the "future" and on form so surely you can see why many are questioning it!
I agree Smithy ticks the "Form and available" box but as a future international player he won't be around for at least 3yrs!

Tony Smith's selections and reasoning's have not been consistent, I agree.

But I am giving MY opinions and reasoning's.

Fair enough mate,lets hope TS proves us all wrong but i honestly don't see what he's thinking with some of the selections and contradicting himself!!

What has Myler done to deserve a starting place above Tomkins? TS is a joker. He'll probably come out with some $hite that Myler is the only 7 in the team and that he picked McGuire over Tomkins. McGuire should of been at 7 with Tomkins at 6. I'm surprised Bridge and Carvell aren't in the team.
Wouldn't of picked Eastmond and Roby on the bench, should of been just one of them with another prop IMO.

typical tony smith. some very strange selections. i thought the world cup may have taught him a thing or two but obviously not

I think he has picked a team for the France game only and although the majority of the team will be the team to face the Aussies, I don't think he has fully made his mind up about a couple of players yet and wants to see how they stand up in the France game.

I think he has decided on his first choice 1 to 5 with the possible switch of Briscoe for Fox and they are in the team. He has also decided, quite rightly, that he will play Danny in the halfs, which jersey is still anyones guess but in some ways it will not matter. I think he is undecided between Tomkins, Myler and Eastmond for the 6/7 jersey and I would expect only one of those three to be in the side to face the Aussies... my gut is telling me it will be Tomkins unless Myler plays a blinder on Friday! I think TS wants to give Myler one more chance to put his hand-up given his lack of game-time this year in comparison to Tomkins. I think Eastmond is likely to be carrying a water bottle and kicking tee against the Aussies!

I think he will have three fowards on the bench and Roby. I don't think he has decided (other than Graham) whom those three will be and Carvell, Crabtree and Eastwood will be battling it out for the two bench places alondside Graham and Roby

I am not sure of the wisdom of not playing the side you are likley to play against the Aussies, but I think that is what he has decided to do!

Not sure he's qualified yet on residency.

Crabtree will not be available until the game V the Australians after an injury.

Here's what I posted on the Wigan site.
"Apart from the Tomkins issue, which has now been done to death I don't understand the selection of James Graham on the bench.

Graham is NOT an impact prop. He doesn't makes a lot of metres per carry. His major strengths are his fitness, tenacity, durability, stamina and his ability to take on a number of drives per set.

Morley on the other takes less drives but will make more metres per drive.

I would have had Graham and Peacock starting with Morley and Carvell on the bench.

Dropping Carvell is another strange decision, he and OLoughlin were top tacklers last week."