it does all look suspicious but maybe it will work in England's favour

If he's considered a key man in a key position for which we have inadequate cover then you wouldn't want him not to get injured, so possibly yes. Plus British coaches have a history (through team inadequacy) of trying to spring a surprise against top opposition (as shown by the tendency not to announce the actual team until the last minute). Why on Earth they think that's clever has always been beyond me.

Fair comment but as has already been pointed out,if this was the case why wouldnt chase be in the 19 to keep NZ off the sent to the last minute?

Because Burrow, Widdop and Sinfield are in. You couldn't add Chase as well.

Farrell and mossop to miss out for me ablett on the bench. Offers more versatility for centre cover than Farrell and for me bigger and more suited to this level. Farrell has been a bit nowty in the games in the WC

What a ridiculous thing to do. Why play Chase through all the initial games them throw someone else in, with no gametime, for the semi final?

Ah and Saddened joins the party. Doom - Mongers of the world unite.

AGREED...well said Dave the Rhino !

Based only on what I've seen in the World Cup, I can understand why Chase isn't chosen, if he has indeed been dropped. Hoping Widdop is not underdone, but have faith that he wouldn't be in there if he wasn't.

Let's see if the can play his natural game with the odd little chip kick or short grubber earlier on in the count etc etc. The outside backs will no doubt have been working on it.

Maybe Chase wasn't chosen because of;

a) Last week he was wanting to fight everyone

and

b) The kiwis would have gone on overtime trying to 'wind him up' succesfully ?

He's cup tied for this one

Ha ha, like your post

Tomkins
Charnley
Watkins
Cudjoe
Hall
Widdop
Sinfield
Graham
Roby
Hill
Westwood
S Burgess
O'Loughlin

G Burgess
Ablett
Burrow
Mossop or Ferres (Leaning towards Mossop, which would be very harsh on Ferres, who's been fantastic, but with the threat of SBW, Burgess needs to play the whole game at left second row to look after him)

Nice one !