Without doubt elements of truth and logic there.

My point being is we have a large pool of "talent" right down to grassroots level but the obsession with anything antipodean being allowed to play for all our SL sides is a major hamstring in our international development, or lack of. Outstanding overseas players always benefit the comp. The concern is those "average" players getting in, again into nigh on every team. But then that goes back to the age old SL v Int debate. Ho hum.

While he doesn't have a great pool to pick from, there are better options than the likes of Robinson & Lunt. Sinfield & Burrow would definitely be improvements as halves than Robinson. As far as hookers go, while we have no top class ones any more, the likes of Clarke, Moore, Diskin & Higham are surely better options than Lunt!

No doubt we would rather have the likes of Kyle Eastmond out there, who is probably first choice No.7, and that's out of his hands. But a couple of those choices and a couple of omissions are just nuts.

In fact, the top 3 in that squad that I can't believe are in there, are all from the Giants. Not sure what to make of that (although no doubt their fans will believe the whole RL Community are biased against them for sharing a similar opinion).

Sinfield withdrew through injury. Burrow has had his opportunity and has done little at International level. Perhaps the hookers could have been different but I don't think there is a huge difference in quality between any of them. Perhaps he chose Lunt because he was going to go with Robinson at 7.

I'm not sure I'd have picked Griffin either but by the same token, the replacements are of a similar quality IMO.

I wasn't aware of that one, but that explains the most surprising name missing from the squad. That's actually good to know, as if he'd simply left him out it would be more amazing.

We'll agree to disagree on the others. I personally think other options are far better than Robinson & Lunt, and there are a couple above Griffin too.

Two big positives for me though are Fielden deservedly getting back in, and Richie Myler being left out.

Oh I hadn't even noticed Tony Clubb. Another massively overrated player. Always seems to have plenty of potential, never seems to show it.

I suppose putting a Londoner in there keeps the Southern lot and Journos interested though eh?

Completely agree. I look at the squad with a certain amount of trepidation but I suppose we (again) have to give him the benefit of the doubt until we crash out of the tournement in fourth place...!

However, when you look at the team, I suppose you have to take into account the fact that we're not working to the full salary cap this year and... oh... hang on...

There doesn't seem to be much international experience in the backs... I suppose he's been brought in to bring the younger players through and his legecy will be seen in years to come... I'm sure I've heard that before as well.

If, as has been suggested, this is the worst team to leave these shores (nothing like being positive! They'll probably go and win it now) is that a damnation on Macca or the players who he has available? A sign of the way this season has gone is the fact the the Rhino's have only one player representing them.

Everyone will come up with a different squad if they were asked to name one. Obviously McNamara will have more facts to hand to base his selections on. Who is carry injuries etc, who coped or didn't cope with the last tour. Huddersfield were in good form at the back end of the year which probably played a part in his thinking.

I don't agree with all the selections but at the same time there could be some reasons for those selections that I'm not aware of. I don't think the changes I would make in my imaginary team would make a significant difference to our chances though!

Does anyone apart from McNamara rate Griffin above the likes of Lynch, Scruton, Carvell, Coley or even Bailey?

The best I can pick from a bad bunch :

Widdop
Briscoe
Shenton
Atkins
Hall
Brown
Tomkins
Graham
Robinson
Morley
Ellis
Westwood
Burgess

Roby
Fielden
Harrison
J tomkins

Maybe he is being biased... let's face it we've been down to the bare bones at times this year and every player on more than one leg has had to do shed loads of work. So, he's doing us a favour in letting our guys have a rest!

Good call.

Would certainly bring some animal to the side and upset the oppo.

Probably upset James Graham more though...

Not saying hello to James Graham would probably upset him these days. He's turned into a petulant crybaby lately. Such a shame to see arguably the best prop in the league reduced to the moaning kn0bhead he's been in recent weeks, who was lucky not to be given 10 minutes in the Grand Final for his hissy fit.

I agree though about Bailey. As much as I can't stand the guy, he would have been another better choice than Griffin.

Bailey's had an excellent season - and he does his job well - Look at how he wound Radford up when Leeds played Hull.


If everbody was fully fit, what would your team be then?

Widdop
Briscoe
Bridge
Atkins
Hall
Tomkins
Eastmond
Peacock
Roby/Diskin ( England's worst position)
Graham
Burgess
Ellis
O'Loughlin - I only left him out of my other team by Mistake !!!!!

Roby/Diskin
Morley
Lynch
Fielden

Crabtree
J Tomkins
B Harrison
B Westwood
Shenton
Goulding
Burrow
This will be controversial - has Deacon retired from international????? Without Eastmond we are crying out for a 7.
Bailey

Bully Boxer makes a very valid point in that he speaks of Huddersfield being in form at the end of the season and players being picked on the back of that fact. Whilst I must admit I was surprised at the inclusion of Darrel Griffin, how many times have squads left these shores with players having been picked on reputation rather than being in form and gone overseas and got erm............... smashed. Now I am not saying that this tour will be different but isnt it right that players in form are given a chance?.

I personally for one wouldnt pick James Graham because he is a spoilt brat who acts like a four year old stamping his feet and back chatting the referee, the Aussie refs will have a field day if he repeats his antics whilst on tour.

As has been mentioned in this thread previosly everyone will have a view on the squad but picking players in form should always be the way.

You wouldn't pick the best prop we have?

No matter whether he moans to the ref or not, we need him.

If Sinfield was fit would you leave him out too? He's the biggest moaner in SL but he'd be a welcome addition to a poor England squad.

Bailey is a wind up merchant supreme. It's his job, is controlled with it and is actually exceptional at doing so. Would love to see him doing it for us and add the nasty element we lack.

Fully fit:

Widdop
Briscoe
Gleeson
Atkins (would still be Senior but he's retired)
Hall
McGuire
Eastmond
Moz
Roby
Peacock
Ellis
Burgess
O'Loughlin

Fielden
Graham
Burrow/Pryce
Westwood

I had considered Pryce as a centre given his size and handling skills and the lack of existing quality there.

James Graham is simply becoming a parody of himself. He needs to stop the dummy spitting, it's pathetic.