The only problem I have with this is Widdop comes in cold after very little game time, a big risk in my opinion but let's see what happens

I'd question the timing more than the decision itself. He wasn't great on Saturday, but by that token you could drop most of the team. How much time have Sinfield and Widdop had playing together? Big call, hope it works.

Big call. Would have expected him to stick with chase for the whole tournament.

Big call by McNamara. Had he been seriously considering this before he would have played Widdopp last match, so I wouldn't be surprised if it was indeed that game that has cost Chase.

McNamara's the first England coach to stick with a halfback pairing and really give it a chance to develop, something for which too few fans will ever give him credit. He's obviously decided that it just wasn't happening. Ideally a game earlier to give Widdopp a full game with Sinfield, but I can understand his desperate hope that Chase would start to put together 80 minute performances.

He doesn't have quality options like Australia who could be brought in and expected to step up (and who also play with each other several times a year at least), or a no-brainer first-choice pairing like NZ.

Rumours on twitter that Chase has left the camp...

Plus side is widdop is chomping at the bit and wants to put in a big performance to prove himself. With burrow on the bench as well England's attack looks pretty potent

There is also another half back in the 19 who Sinfield has a great deal of experience playing alongside.

Can't imagine Chase has been dropped for playing reasons. Thought he has shown up reasonably well, and if McNamara has left it until now to realise he doesn't like him in the halves then I would be amazed. Chase has done what he has always done in an England shirt, which I assume was what the coach was expecting? If he wasn't expecting what he got from Chase then he's the only one in the country.

There are more teddies flying around in the England camp than at a 2 year olds bring a bear tea party.

Maybe having a tantrum is the way forward for the players under Steve Mac?

It was reported that Widdop last week had a one on one moan with Mac with his bottom lip out.

Look at him now, likely to be in starting line up for WC semi!

Let's be honest with ourselves here

A guy who is a flat track bully who has just quit Cas to go play for Salford

Or an NRL star player


...our coach is off his t1ts

We'll see how much of an "NRL star player" Widdop is next year, when he doesn't have that outstanding spine at Melbourne of Slater, Cronk and Smith around him.

At the moment, he's not IMO. He's a decent player, but that's it.

It is a bold move, so late in the comp though.

Mac has persevered with the Chase/Sinfield pairing for so long, makes you wonder whether its a planned strategic move or a press on the panic button.

Or panic as 'Super Chase' is off to witness birth of his child

Yeah and next year we will see Chase with all those world beaters at...

Oh yeah...

See Danny Brough is up for best player in the world along with Billy Slater and Sonny Bill Williams.
One of the best in the world. Makes McNamara look like a real chump.