I don't think the problems lay at the feet of Smith, he has made a few questionable decisions, but none that will determine the outcome of the tournament.

The omissions of Senior, Pryce and Burrow seem a bit controversial. But if he wins on Saturday, or next week then the tournament is a sucess

But the pack is not a lot different to this team and we know what happened then.

Paul Wellens
Ade Gardner
Mark Calderwood
Keith Senior
Martin Gleeson
Leon Pryce
Rob Burrow
Kevin Sinfield
Gareth Ellis
James Roby
Jamie Peacock
Adrian Morley
James Graham
Substitues
Danny McGuire
Jon Wilkin
Gareth Hock
Maurie Fa'asavalu

Quote: G1 "I am reminded very much of the build up to the 1990 tour. All the pre match build up was about the size and power of the Aussie centres, Menninga and McGaw. They were bigger and better than Hodges and Inglis. Mal Reilly selected two midgets in comparison to deal with them, Darryl Powell and Carl Gibson. The rest is history. Maybe, just maybe, we could see another David and Goliath on Saturday? Or am I just desperately trying to find some optimism. Nice to see the usual suspects letting the bile they reserve for Smith rise to the surface.'" I'm desperately trying to find some optimism too, and found a little bit here www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjZ7HsspI3o . Stephenson and Loughlin in the centres. David Hulme vs. Wally Lewis at stand-off. Mr.Reliable at full-back. Not a chance. Rewatching the highlights, Andy Gregory absolutely *ran* that game though. Also considerable Headingley connections in that match: 12 of the starting 26 played at some point for Leeds (easy quiz if anyone wants to play). And none of them won anything beyond a Yorkshire Cup

Quote: G1 "I am reminded very much of the build up to the 1990 tour. All the pre match build up was about the size and power of the Aussie centres, Menninga and McGaw. They were bigger and better than Hodges and Inglis. Mal Reilly selected two midgets in comparison to deal with them, Darryl Powell and Carl Gibson. The rest is history. Maybe, just maybe, we could see another David and Goliath on Saturday? Or am I just desperately trying to find some optimism. Nice to see the usual suspects letting the bile they reserve for Smith rise to the surface.'" I'm desperately trying to find some optimism too, and found a little bit here www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjZ7HsspI3o . Stephenson and Loughlin in the centres. David Hulme vs. Wally Lewis at stand-off. Mr.Reliable at full-back. Not a chance. Rewatching the highlights, Andy Gregory absolutely *ran* that game though. Also considerable Headingley connections in that match: 12 of the starting 26 played at some point for Leeds (easy quiz if anyone wants to play). And none of them won anything beyond a Yorkshire Cup

Who else could England have as coach who is more qualified than Smith? the thought that the likes of Harrison might have got the job is too frightening to contemplate.

McRae will be the next England coach IMO which is a massive step backwards compared to the current encumbent

Yes but none of those backs are playing so just wait until Hodges and Inglis get a load of Smith and Shenton............

Oh goodness me, come on people. This is a test against the Aussies. Its' on BBC on a Saturday afternoon. lets' get all nostalgic and pretend we have a chance.

The only one I would cite as controversial is the omission of Burrow.

Senior had retired and so, I suppose, his commitment to the cause might be questioned. Pryce had been woefully out of form and for years we had been asking for a coach to pick players on form.

The 7 shirt was Burrows (ignoring the France mid season meaningless games) and I don't think Myler or Tomkins had done enough YET to take it off him. Particularly after he had such a big game, yet again, in the Grand Final and particularly as he was just one international series away from being man of the series. He's been discarded way too quickly.

I think Smith is, like David says, the best available man for the job and, like you, I don't think Smith's selections are going to be what causes us to not win this series, if indeed we do not win this series. Its' hardly rocket science to recognise that their players are, still, much better than ours and we have a lot of work to do.

Still, that won't stop the usual suspects on here getting the knives out for Smith.

Oh alright then. I predict an 8-4 win, despite being down to 12 men. Probably be a Wigan halfback with temper issues who gets his marching orders. Jonathan Davies is my tip for the first try.

Has Senior retired though? The last I heard he was considering making himself available?

IMO his retirement was nothing more than a "I guess this is probably it" answer when asked by a journo last year (and the year before).

Keith was available for selection. Smith knew it. Keith "wasn't in his plans".

Yes. He said if Smith gave him a call he would consider it.

Now, I certainly consider Senior to still be the best British centre by some long distance but I don't think you should have to coax a player out of retirement for international rugby and if you do I think you have to question the players commitment.

Senior made the right decision to retire. It will elongate his career with us and, lets face it, he would not be the difference between winning or losing to the Aussies.

Shenton was supposed to be all that and coveted by many Leeds posters so lets see how he handles it.

Do you not think he deserves any questioning over selection and performances since the WC then G???
I've already said more than once he is and always will be a leeds legend but imo i think his selections and the teams performances with england since the kiwi series have been below par and he does'nt help that when he contrdicts himself when talking to the press.

I am just going by my recollection of quotes directly attributed to him.

rlI guess you weren't one of the family members he spoke torl

"I announced my retirement - and whether it's the right thing or wrong thing, that remains to be seen.

"I'd have to speak to my family and I'd definitely think about it very deeply."

Could be worse G1 - Wellens, Calders and Sykes could be playing.

A breathe a sigh of relief that they aren't.

But to agree with your point, the outside looks frail.

That England team reminds me of a girl I once knew, it took quite a while to grind her a down but once I did the floodgates opened.

Great sex though until I blasted her sister.