I've always been a keen advocate of getting big RL fixtures onto free-to-air TV, but I wish the BBC hadn't had the rights to this tournament.

Aside from personally seeing the opening game in Lens as a success because of the size of the crowd in a non-RL area, even that didn't look great from the point of view of the casual viewer because the stadium was far too big for the size of the crowd, and then the quality of the grounds of the other two group games just made the games look amateurish.

Tonight's game was obviously a better venue, but the positioning of the cameras meant that viewers were looking out over three tiny stands, one of which was only 1/3 full despite all of this week's claims that the game was practically sold out (all week terrace tickets were showing online as unavailable so this was particularly disappointing).

As far as the entertainment value goes, this is probably the dullest rugby league tournament I've ever seen. So sad, because I really want this sport to succeed and took a friend from Northern Ireland to his first ever game tonight, but trying to make out that this is an elite even in the sport's calendar was an impossible task because it was such a non-event.

I think the best thing we can do with years like this when there isn't an option of an Aussie or Kiwi tour is to play these games at the biggest grounds possible but actually make it part of Super League/CC clubs' season tickets - every fan gets one free ticket to the game of their choice, first come, first served, and tickets can still be purchased for those who don't qualify for a freebie.

Rather than selling tickets at £6 each like most of tonight's tickets will have been on the BOGOF offer, playing the games at somewhere like the Reebok Stadium or Elland Road (or maybe somewhere slightly more unusual around the fringe of the heartlands like Bramall Lane or Goodison Park if they can be secured at the right price) would make the perceived value of the event higher to the recipient, and could justify charging £15-£20 because people will be more attracted to a big event.

Playing at more reputable venues will then make the sport look more prestigious to casual observers.

As one friend has pointed out to me today though, at least a big positive from this tournament is that to those flicking through the channels without a particular interest in the game, they will have at least seen England totally dominating and may give the team greater stock ahead of the World Cup. We live in hope!

My two penneth

Overall, this series was what it was always going to be. On the field an England win with the opportunity for McNamara to get his squad together for a decent length of time and find some confidence by getting a few wins and running in some tries (I also thought they were pretty determined in defence on Saturday for a game they were always going to win so clearly he is injecting a bit of pride in the shirt). Off the field, it was a chance to get international League in the media and make as many references to next year’s world cup as possible

In both cases, pretty much job done

On the selection front:

Full back jersey is Tomkins barring injury and despite a few defensive weakness is a real threat with the ball. Hardaker is improving quickly and is a very capable backup

Agree with many that we have the best options on the wing than we have had for years – probably since the Offiah/Robinson days. Hall is nailed on and I still prefer Briscoe to Charnley as he brings the ball away from his own 22 stronger against better defences and that’s going to be key against the big guns. Having said that, I would have no problem with Charnley in the team as he is a very good winger

For me, Watkins has sealed the right centre spot – again some defensive weaknesses to work on but if we are to win the big games, he has attacking game to turn matches. Cudjoe probably didn’t do enough to hold onto his spot with competition from Atkins and Reed and I would go with Reed for his all round game

We may as well stop debating the Sinfield role – he has just played the last three international games as captain and half back and we have also played our last international game before the World Cup starts. Like it or not, he will be the first half back on the team sheet. With Sinfield at 6, the question is who else in the halves – I thought Myler played well and didn’t deserve to be dropped for the final but clearly McNamara sees Chase as a man to add something extra to the team. I am not sure and didn’t think he has a great game on Sunday – pickig a team today, I would go with Myler but I do think that a year from now Lomax will be in with a shout as he is developing a very good all round game. Brough blows too hot and cold for me, on his day he is great but that day is not often enough

Widdop would be in the team at stand off if Sinfield were not there but I am not sure if they are suited to play together. Widdop would be in the squad no doubt

In the front row, I would go with Hill, Graham, Burgess and one other in the 17. At the moment, that is probably Mossop but Crabtree has never let anybody down in an England jersey and a year from now I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see George Burgess pushing for a full England spot if he gets some decent NRL game time as I expect. Morley should be around the squad but I don’t think he is right for the 17 now

Can’t look past Roby for the hooking role and I would have Burrow on the bench over McIlorum

Ellis and Westwood for the second row – Hock can be devastating on his day but (like McIlorum) he is liable to give away too many stupid penalties. Perhaps the same can be said for Westwood but I think he adds more to the team than the other two. I thought that Jones-Buchanan was very good this series but he lacks size to be effective against Australia and New Zealand, same for Jon Wilkin and Liam Farrell

Once again, O’Loughlin has played well in an England shirt and with Sinfield in the halves he is a lock in for loose forward

Ablett gets some bad press on these boards but his versatility could warrant a bench spot (another option could be Widdop)

So, I would go for

Tomkins
Briscoe (Charnley)
Watkins
Reed
Hall
Sinfield
Myler (Lomax)
Graham
Roby
S. Burgess
Westwood
Ellis
O’Loughlin

Hill
G. Burgess
Burrow
Ablett/Widdop


And finally... a successful World Cup with an England win would be the best thing to happen to our sport for the last 40 years and do wonders for the profile of the sport. Any RL administrator or fan, regardless of club or political bias, should do everything they can to make this happen

Sinfield plays 7 and more to the right (whatever is on his back), Widdop plays 6 and is on the left. I'm liable to change my mind all the time but that seems like the best combo for me atm.

NO IT IS NOT - YOU ARE WRONG

The last 6 nations was gash.