I'm not sure about McNamaras thinking behind this. Wilkin couldn't even get in the side for the last game.

We had Adrian Morley as captain not so long ago...now we have Mr Wilkin. What a comedown.

Perhaps they're looking for someone that won't get sent off in the first 4 seconds.

Your comment assumes McBanana thinks

Out of the squad named for the second Exiles match, he seemed the most logical choice. As people have said is Roby vocal enough? Wilkin's got a lot of big game experience, and leads from the front in terms of effort. The only other possible candidate would be Carvell, as one of the only other senior pro's in the squad. Peacock did McNamara no favours in announcing his immediate retirement when he did. He should have just retired at the end of last season and allowed England to plan for the future without him. as for Morley, yes he put's the effort in but, can be too much of a liability. How much longer can he continue to play both internationally and domestically? He must be 33, or 34 now and reaching the end of his career.

Well done Wilko. I'm sure he will give it his very best shot.

Well Done Jon Wilkin grab this chance with both hands.

Unbeleiveable he's the captain! He can't even make the full 17 in games that matter. McNamara has lost the plot!

If you recall he had a very good test series at the end of last year (four nations)....leading by example with his work rate. Captaincy deserved.....

Am I alone in thinking that the exiles game is the England coach's only chance to try things out? Surely if he thinks Wilkin might be the man for the job it's better to test that theory on what is effectively a trial game?

Agreed.

He also does a lot of talking on the pitch and tries to motivate players - certainly for Saints he does anyway.

He'll make 40+ tackles and give a good interveiw at the end.