we can't always be planning for the future. We don't play enough internationals to do that. The aim should be firstly to win this series, with any experience gained by younger players a bonus. This series needs to be promoted and enjoyed in its own right.

Hardaker is a better FB than Ratboy.
Widdop is a better 6 than Ratboy.

However, this doesn't matter when you have a clueless, bottleless coach

Or an internet forum poster so heavily biased against one of the three players mentioned that he can't even bring himself to type his name.

No offence, but I'll take McNamara's opinion over yours.

One or the other has to play full back. Personally, I'd not consider playing either in another position. If MacNamara chooses Tomkins, then so be it. No lack of bottle on his part should that be his decision. But I do hope he's got the bottle to drop him if fears about missed tackles and dropped balls are realised.

It's clear that we will be weaker as a team of 17 men if Tomkins plays FB. He can't catch a cold and can't stop a pig in a passage. Like has been said, if a series defeat to a depleted NZ Side means an End to McBanana as England Coach, then I would take that. Leaving out the likes of Cuthbertson and McGuire is crazy and gets a vote of No Confidence from me.

With the current selected squad I would go with:

1. Hardaker
2. J. Burgess
3. Watkins
4. Cudjoe
5. Hall

6. Widdop
7. Tomkins

8. Graham
9. Roby
10. Hill
11. Bateman
12. Farrell
13. O'Loughlin

14. Hodgson
15. Whitehead
16. T. Burgess
17. Cooper

Writing this makes me feel it's the weakest British International Side we've seen in some time.

Looking at that side and considering who the coach is we'll be lucky to get across the line vs NZ. If they'd have had Johnson and Foran (and JWH, Mannering, Taumalolo) we'd have had no chance, but their halves are nobodies so we still have a chance.

Try actually watching Sam next time he plays instead of relying on the old prejudices. That's if you are capable.

From a purely selfish club point of view I'd hoped Tomkins would have pulled out of the squad, he's had two serious injuries this year and I doubt he's had a proper off season since he first broke into the Wigan first team.
Got to say though I'd prefer Hardaker at fullback anyway, I'm old school and think being a top defender should be no.1 priority in that position.

You are Eddie "Paul Wellens is the worlds best full back" Hemmings in disguise. I claim my £5.

Hardaker is better at defending the line, at defending breaks one-on-one, at catching the high ball, and is infinitely better at returning kicks. Tomkins has a better creative and handling game, and certainly used to have a better broken-field running game but I don't know how much pace he's lost with his latest injuries. Hardaker is also on form. It's a no-brainer that Hardaker should be full-back, but you'd want both of them in your team.

So the other thing to consider is that though Tomkins hasn't played half and Hardaker hasn't played centre for years, Tomkins used to be a better half than Hardaker was a centre. Tell Sam that and it might massage his ego enough for him to accept the position.

Nope, not even close, and Hardaker is blessed with the one thing Wellens never had, pace.
If he was 100% fit I'd have Tomkins at 6 but he isn't so I'd rather he wasn't playing at all.

I think next autumn it'll be a totally different story. Ratboy will have had a season playing behind one of the best packs in a team that will dominate defences and strangle attacks with great enthusiasm but those defending him must be remembering his Wigan performances instead of the dross he's served up for the last 2 years. He has been truly awful and out of his depth entirely. That considered he's been playing outside the current golden boot winner and a pack containing Mannering, Hoffman and Matulino.

Personally, I think both are exciting and top quality players. Its not wrong to try to shoehorn them both into the 13. We don't have that much quality that we can not pick players of their quality. One will have to be out of position. Question is which will have least impact?

I'm not sure I know the answer. I think a lot of the stuff that Tomkins does brilliantly could be produced at halfback, but we may lose the structure or creativity that one of the others brings. If you move Hardaker to centre you still get the benefit of his good defense, but you miss his ability under the high ball. If both make the 13 then I will be comfortable. If one misses out, I think its a mistake

Hardaker at FB for me, with Widdop and Gale in the halves. Pick people in their positions or not at all.

I don't think McNamarra can put anything but the most basic structure into England. He does not have the time or the capability. I would have my best guys on the field, starting with Hardaker at FB. Then have Tomkins in the halves and let KOL and Widdop organise the forwards. Precedent for this is the previous selection of "wild card" Rangi Chase.
You have Roby as well running the dummy half. I'd also be a bit radical and have a half back on the bench (just not Smith).