How excited are we by the the world cup being over here this year?? The way I look at it is there is two sides to the competition, one being the battlefor the title, between Australia, NZ and England. The other being a great opporutinity to spread the game and hopefully develop in a few of these 'minor' countries, so that soon enough there wll be more than three potential winners. One things for sure we can't keep moaning about the lack of national press coverage and spreading of the game etc, if the hardcore fans of the game can't get enthusiastic about having the World Cup in our own country.

Also, if were were playing the World Cup final next weekend, who would be in your 17? At the moment mine is as follows, but I'm sure it will change several times over the course of the season:

1. Tomkins.
2. Charnley.
3. Reed.
4. Atkins.
5. Hall
6. Widdop.
7. Myler.
8. Kopczak
9. Roby
10. Westwood
11. Ellis
12. Hock.
13. Sinfield.
14. Burrow
15. O'loughlin.
16. Hill
17. Crabtree

Ended up really struggling for props!

For now i'd go with;

1. Tomkins
2. Charnley/Makinson
3. Cudjoe
4. Atkins
5. Hall
6. Sinfield
7. Brough
8. Graham
9. Roby
10. Hill
11. Burgess
12. Farrell
13. O'loughlin

14. Crabtree
15. Fielden
16. Hock
17. Burrow

Not sure how I forgot about Burgess and Graham!

1. Tomkins
2. Charnley
3. Cudjoe
4. Atkins
5. Hall
6. Sinfeild
7. Myler
8. Graham
9. Roby
10. Hill
11. Burgess
12. Westwood
13. O'loughlin

14. Crabtree
15. Farrell
16. Hock
17. Burrow

Graham to do big minutes at least 60 minutes removing the need for a 4th Prop.

I thou Atkins looked susceptible against Wigan. I've always questioned that, past being a remarkable physical specimen, he's not a great centre. I thought the more modestly endowed Goulding gave him so e real problems.

I would go with:

1. Sam Tomkins
2. Josh Charnley
3. Zak Hardaker
4. Ryan Atkins
5. Ryan Hall
6. Kevin Sinfield
7. Danny Brough
8. James Graham
9. James Roby
10. Sam Burgess
11. Ben Westwood
12. Gareth Hock
13. Sean O'Loughlin

14. Rob Burrow
15. Chris Hill
16. Earl Crabtree
17. Liam Farrell

1. Tomkins
2. Charnley
3. Cudjoe
4. Atkins
5. Hall
6. Sinfield
7. Brough
8. Graham
9. Roby
10. Hill
11. Westwood
12. Ferres
13. O'Loughlin

14. Burrow
15. Crabtree
16. Hock
17. Burgess

1. Tomkins
2. Briscoe
3. Reed
4. Atkins
5. Hall
6. Widdop
7. McGuire
8. Graham
9. Roby
10. Hill
11. Westwood
12. Ellis
13. O'Loughlin

14. Burgess
15. Mossop/LMS
16. Wilkin
17. Crabtree

1. Sam Tomkins
2. Zak Hardaker
3. Jack Reed
4. Ryan Atkins / Kallum Watkins/ Darrell Goulding
5. Ryan Hall

6. Gareth Widdop
7. Danny Brough

8. James Graham
9. James Roby
10. Chris Hill
11. Gareth Hock
12. Gareth Ellis
13. Sean O'Loughlin

14. Rob Burrow
15. Ben Westwood
16. Sam Burgess
17. Eorl Crabtree / Justin Poore / Adrian Morley / LMS / Stuart Fielden.

That last bench position is very much up for grabs for a number of players IMO, it will all depend on form throughout the season. There are a couple others not named who will also be pushing for it.

Where has Burgess been playing in Aus?

EDIT - position wise (before any smart comments )

Absolutely amazed nobody puts Briscoe as winger, he is the best winger in SL behind Ryan Hall and i would love him at Saints.

Tomkins
Briscoe
Reed
Atkins
Hall
Widdop
Chase
Graham
Roby
Hock
Westwood
Ellis
OLoughlin

Maguire
Burgess
Mossop
Crabtree

You must know something I don't...

That his dad is from Southampton?

Really? Has he put his hand up for England, then?