England coach Steve McNamara has dedcided not to risk Chris Heighington, who has a calf injury. Jon Wilkin steps up to start at loose forward.

I do a LOL.

Jesus christ.

The obvious move and I think he'll do ok.

I guess that means Carvell on the bench again.

Although he had a good game last week he May have been tempted to put sinfield at loose and widdop to 6 but that might happen as game goes on.

Thats what I was thinking. Hope so

IMO we need Sinfield controlling at 6 and Wilkin tackling at 13. Widdop is a runner not an organiser. One of the reasons we are in with a chance in the final has been Sinfield control at SO. He would not be able to do the same at 13 as he would have to put in a huge tackling stint.

Dont worry, Wilkin wont let us down.

I would have dropped Heighinton anyway.
Best team for me, hope widdop is utilised a bit better.

Got to say i thought Wilkin was very good against the kiwis and deserves his spot.

Would agree. Don't think from the first two games he deserved his place against NZ, however that said he did have a good game against them

Last night showed that Wilkin is too much of a lightweight at that level.
Oh for Burgess (Sam) to have been fit.

OF It would of been nice to have Sam Burgess available but as with Ellis the Aussies can handle them whereas with the likes of Thaiday and T-rex we couldn't handle them.

Watch Ellis on you-tube playing for Wests....he seems to do pretty well there. Too many expectations are placed on him playing for England, which is probably a [iweaker[/i team than his club side.

England just doesn't have the strength in depth to compete [iconsistently[/i

I actually think Wilkin has had a decent series, including Saturday's game. I gives me no pleasure to say so because I think he's a nob head.

I also can't recall the last time Ellis lived up to his potential in an England/GB jersey and you may have to go back to his Wakefield days. I don't care what he produces for Wests, it's about time he replicated that in rep games.

Quite agree. Wilkin did have a good series as did JJB. On Saturday it was the rest of the pack that looked jaded inlcuding Ellis, Westwood and our front row, except Graham who did his best.