Quote: Him "No, actually what you do is pick the squad at the end of the domestic season, then pick a 17 from that squad. So form decides the squad, not just the line-up. So why is picking a squad now any less silly than picking a squad including first 17?.'"
Good point. I retract that statement.
Quote: Him "Also, why have 4 half backs in the squad plus Tomkins and Burrow? Total waste of places, especially when you've only picked 3 second rowers.'"
I put Sam Burgess as first choice loose forward with O'Loughlin as second choice, but Burgess can be a back up as second rower if needed, so in effect he is covering two positions, or even three if you want to use him as prop.
I picked 4 halves rather than 3 because there is so much uncertainty about who should be the halves for Britain, and I thought McNamara might want to experiment in the easier pool game (against Ireland). Maybe by end of 2013 SL season form will be clearer and they will only choose 3 halves.
Gareth Widdop is an absolute essential squad choice because he can cover the halves and full back, while Zak Hardaker is essential choice because he can cover full back and centre. England is at least blessed in its number of utility players -- and you add Rob Burrow and Sam Burgess to that list.
