An astute observation. So much is down to confidence and belief.

I think there are a lot of props out there who will be fancying their chances. JP, Morley and Graham are probably nailed on but that leaves at least another two front row spots.

Lynch, Scruton, Bailey, LMS, Carvell and even Richard Moore might be worth a shot. Is Harrison an out and out prop?

Big Eorl hasn't really kicked on from his international debut last year.

The game against France is a useful opportunity to try some new players and see how your key positions get on. It would do the likes of Peacock, Morley etc no good whatsoever to play in this game so Id go for a team of:
1. Pryce
2. Hall
3. Atkins
4. Shenton
5. Briscoe
6. Tomkins
7. Eastmond
8. Lynch
9. Sinfield
10. LMS
11. Ablett
12. Tomkins
13. Purdham

14. Roby
15. Scruton
16. Bailey
17. Clough

I'm really happy to see so many people mentioning Joel Tomkins because he's been sensational this season. He is now playing to the standard he used to do when he was in the reserves at Wigan and terrorising opposition defences with ball in hand. He has a huge workrate and the pace of a centre which added into his ball handling ability and running power is quite some package.

The other 3 players that stand out for me as deserving a call up on the back of this seasons form are Ben Harrison, Andy Lynch and Jamie Langley(if he can get back fit and playing soon). Those 3 are having top seasons and are real powerhouses.

One day we might even produce some outside backs!

The French are no opposition as the last two games have aptly demonstrated - this should be a team that is a peek into the future - there should be no players in this side over 25 - end of.

If you asked most Wigan fans to name players who should certainly be in the squad (from the Wigan team) then I'm sure O'Loughlin, Sam and Joel Tomkins would be their first choices.

Sort of agree, but would not limit it to age.

More a case of no need for the older ones who have proved themselves already. The likes of Peacock, Morley, Sinfield should not be utilized in this game.

But some players over 25 are not international regulars and are showing form warrenting international selection, and therefore I would not disclude them.

To me, Lynch and Bailey are an example of that for pushing for a chance in this game, but there are others.

An under 25's team would be interesting. I think older guys like Lynch and Langley deserve a shot but a 25's side would aid development of certain players.

I'm thinking something like-

Tansey
Cudjoe
Shenton
Bridge
Riley
S Tomkins
Eastmond
Graham(c)
Lunt
S Burgess
Harrison
Ablett
J Tomkins

subs
Scruton
Mossop
Westerman
Roby

From Leeds I'd say Hall. Even though his form hasn't quite lived up to last year he's still the best English winger by some distance, not that it's hard to be so with the dearth of quality outside backs.

I'd have suggested Ablett had he not missed so much game time.

Is McGuire done? I'd say no. Tomkins, Eastmond and Myler are exciting young players but need an experienced play maker along side them. Actually the best fit for that role, from Leeds, might actually be Sinfield.

Finally, I'd have Bailey in the mix in readiness for the Autumn. He would most certainly get amongst the antipodeans and upset them.

Mate, that team looks poor on paper, hence why age should not be a barrier for inclusion.

Tansey is a shocking choice, and how do you get players like Riley in ahead of Hall?

Just read the post above yours and seen Hall's name and realised i'd totally forgot about him. He's quite clearly the best English wingman about at the moment.

Tansey is playing pretty well at the moment for Hull but it probably is a sign of a real lack of quality in the outside backs that i'd consider selecting him.

You could also play Sam Tomkins at fullback, McGuire at stand off and Sinfield at hooker (a position he has always played well in for England)

Out of interest can we or any other team call their Club fixture off if they have 3 or more representatives in the England squad.
I would feel uncomfortable having the likes of possibly Smith, Hall, McGuire, Sinfield, Bailey, Ablett, JJB missing as well as probably Peacock and Burrow out injured.
I am not saying all the above would be selected but there could easily be 4 out plus the injuries.

The problem with calling a game off is unless you get a free weekend somewhere further down the line you'll have to play it in midweek meaning (at best) 3 games in 10 days somewhere in the business end of the season.

That's why Leeds have opted to play weakened sides rather than postpone games in previous years.

IMO Lynch is the best all-round prop in SL, but you have to question his commitment to the international arena. Didn't he skip almost certain selection last year to go get married and the year before to get an operation on a wrist injury and be fit for the start of the club season?

I don't get all this can't play three games in 10 days - in Australia they play the week before SOO and the week after three times in a season plus the Anzac day test - and with the best will in the world the intensity here is nowhere close to SOO.