Only two out-and-out centres in squad so Hardaker will inevitably be used to fill in there.

McNamara has all but confirmed in a video interview on England RL website that Tomkins will be playing fullback.

Right decision in my opinion. Hardaker doesnt have NRL experience like Tomkins and when you're representing your country you are a public figure. Hardaker's off-field trouble wont help in in this regard.

Thanks for the update. Glad to hear your opinion as well.

Aw diddums. How did your boys get on last night?

Hardaker has the better all round game. Tomkins can reach greater heights in attack, but is poor defensively.

I have a quote from an interview with Frank Endercott somewhere regarding the time a GB coach decided not to select the last Leeds MOS to start in a series against NZ. He couldn't believe anyone could be that stupid.

No surprise Tbh. Why would the MoS, triple trophy winner, dream teamer and best fb in SL get the nod at FB?.
Theres an out of form incumbent who has struggled with injury, to retain his position in his own team and hasn't played for a month or two (by the time the internationals come) who clearly deserves it more.

So no doubt our back line will have an out of form FB, two centres of which one is carrying an injury the other a FB in form, two wingers and a likely HB pairing of two players who won't ever play together again.

Sounds just what I'd expect from Mcbanana, Tbh.

Think somebody is going fishing

John Bateman, Wigan Warriors
Joe Burgess, Wigan Warriors
Thomas Burgess, South Sydney Rabbitohs
Mike Cooper, St George Illawarra Dragons
Leroy Cudjoe, Huddersfield Giants
Ben Currie, Warrington Wolves
Liam Farrell, Wigan Warriors
Brett Ferres, Huddersfield Giants
Luke Gale, Castleford Tigers
James Graham, Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs
Ryan Hall, Leeds Rhinos
Zak Hardaker, Leeds Rhinos
Chris Hill, Warrington Wolves
Josh Hodgson, Canberra Raiders
Jermaine McGillvary, Huddersfield Giants
Sean O’Loughlin (captain), Wigan Warriors
James Roby, St Helens
Matty Smith, Wigan Warriors
Sam Tomkins, New Zealand Warriors
Kallum Watkins, Leeds Rhinos
Ben Westwood, Warrington Wolves
Elliot Whitehead, Catalans Dragons
Gareth Widdop, St George Illawarra Dragons
George Williams, Wigan Warriors

No Walmsley due to injury and Daryl Clark misses out to Roby and Josh Hodgson.

For Leeds obviously Stevie Ward misses out because of injury but Cuthbertson not selected.

Thinly disguised sour grapes/effort to get a little 'revenge' ?

IF tomkins gets selected over Hardaker at FB then McNamara should be sacked as English coach: it would be a ridiculous decision. Tomkins in the halves for me....probably IMO next to Williams. You will have a formdable half back partnership next season if Wigan do the same.

Matty smith? Really shows how inept mcnamara is

God knows how Matty Smith got selected!! (Better than McGuire???) Westwood too is not the player he was ...and what has Ferres done to deserve selection? Def room for Cuthbertson in there as well IMO.

No he hasn't?

Did Cuthbertson make himself available? Which scrum half should be selected ahead of Matty Smith? We're not well off in that position.

I had missed that, what a joke!

Perhaps Flanders may get some input as captain? That might explain it!

Said elsewhere (and it seems I'm not the only one) how the hell has Matty Smith got selected? What exactly has he done to merit selection? Luke Gale has played himself into the squad....he deserves his selection.

I would suggest Matty Smith is not even the best HB at Wigan. Next season they could have Tomkins alongside Williams ....England pairing too if not now then def in the future. They all seem to rate Ryan Hampshire highly for the halves too.