Totally agree would seem pointless taking him otherwise.

Bennett has already said not losing by a lot is a good result - go figure?

Most attacking sides attack on their left so he should have swapped Bateman and Watkins around - as it is he has the worst of both options. No attacking threat on the left and potentially defensive weakness on the right.

Remember the three game series again NZ, Bateman didn’t pass to hall once. I’d rather have had Percival there. My first choice would have been Shenton. But not surprised one bit that that’s how Bennett has gone for his defence.

There’s only two proper second rowers in that 17, and ones at centre. The rest of the forwards are middle men. (And I include O’Loughlin in that now)

It’s gunna be a defensive game.

Not sure about Lomax expect him to be targeted particularly given the strength of both wingers.

But really looking to the tournament.

once again were trying to simply out defend Australia the same tactic we have used for 25 years, and we have beaten Australia about twice in that period. i will be shocked if we beat Australasia or Nz in this tournament. i hate being negative but i just cant see England even competing, the squad is a right job for the boys squad, too many players who have unproven fitness, a very week captain, no real threat in the forwards just grafters at best. not even bothering watching (or sky plus i'm at work)

He passed to Hall for his two tries last week.

That'll learn 'em.

England are clearly hoping to keep the opening encounter v Australia close on the scoreboard IMO

Aye expect a safety first game.

I think having Sam Burgess playing wider in good ball could be a significant positive

Who else do you put at centre? I'd have picked Currie, most would pick Percival, but he'd get eaten alive, the lad is way off test level. At least Bateman would be solid, albeit not very threatening.

Assuming we can defend up the middle, the area that always causes us most difficulty is when the Aussie halfbacks attack the area around the where the halfback/centre defend. They make sure they always have multiple options and if our centres aren't rock solid gaps will open everywhere. England always look completely at sea when Australia move the ball around, so our best hope is that they get dragged into a forward dominated scrap. The most interesting thing for me will be to see if we can structure some moves ourselves, particularly down the left side which is where both Widdopp and Gale operate.

I think having Burgess wider will create doubt in their edge defence and hopefully lead to running some of the effective shapes you mentioned.

That may well have been true a couple of years ago but Burgess has not done much this season to think he will cause doubt.
Hopefully the pride in playing for your country will bring out the best in him.
I think we can match them in the forwards and possibly in the backs.
All will depend on how our halves perform and can we put together any moves that will open up their defence as both our wingers can finish.

people say Burgess not done much this year but he was awarded souths player of the year. so he obviously has been not going too bad.