See here with article www.newsnow.co.uk/A/370455573?-4338

See here with article www.newsnow.co.uk/A/370455573?-4338

Without any doubt what so ever, perhaps you questioning this may mean you do not know to much?

I know what you mean, but i do feel its true that the players in our forwards are not to be sniffed at. As individuals, as ellis and morley have shown, they can compete with the antipodeans - Its the overall team application compared to that of the Aussies that's the more telling problem, IMO.

There was obviously something wrong in the England WC camp last year - maybe the alleged rift between the Leeds and Saints contingents. IMO Smith's team was better on paper than previous outfits coached by Noble but the performances simply weren't as good. This suggests that either England's preparation was flawed and/or the Southern Hemisphere teams are getting better in comparison. It will be interesting this time around as being based in the UK our players will still be in their comfort zones.

Was there ever! I think it was the game we threw away against the Kiwis, it was Ellis himself that was coming out the line and leaving gaps -t'as very bizarre. I can only think that something, whether it was the travel, prep training or the opposition had shook the sense out of us.

Ellis's defence at Leeds was showy but he was never really the best defender. His tackle completion rate was only marginally better than McGuire's in 2008. That said he was one of the players who definitely underperformed for England (Ellis, not McGuire).