An obvious choice in terms of his leadership skills.

At play-off time, his game management is second to none. M y only concern is where he'll play. I fear he isn't quick enough to play stand-off, nor big enough to play loose forward, at International level.

Interesting what Sinny has to say here... bit.ly/Wazcev

Interesting what Sinny has to say here... bit.ly/Wazcev

He's got to play 13 for me... If he starts. I want a lot of grunt in the middle hence why I'd be leaning to Lockers but there's no doubting he's a quality leader, showed it first hand on Saturday. But he's still never a 6 IMO. That's Widdop's shirt all day long.

I just fear it's going to be Sinfield and Chase again in the halves at the RLWC and for me that's not enough creativity to break down Aus. I'd be more confident with Widdop & Chase.

In terms of choice of captain though, it's hard to argue against its the right selection.

Widdop is injured so it isn't really relevant.

Stevie Ward is a good one for the future but nowhere near ready yet.

O'Loughlin is a totally different type of player to Sinfield and I would pick him at 13 for his tremendous workrate (he is not a 6).

Bailey??? HELLO...

I have been a critic of Sinfield in the past but in the last couple of months of the season he has been immense and deserves this honour (I am old fashioned and still think it is an honour to captain ones contry).

This, but for the fact that I believe Widdop is injured.

One of the (many) reasons for Aus (and NZ) successes in recent times is that they invariably co-incide with having available world-class halfbacks. You can certainly do a job by playing the likes of Sinfield or Sculthorpe or whoever at 6, but overall will invariably pay the price against a team with superior halves.

I would be very surprised to see anything other than a Sinfield/Chase partnership from now through to the end of the World Cup.Am i right in thinking Widdop is unavailable for the coming internationals? if that is the case, SM wont even get a chance to trial him before the World Cup, and i cant see him throwing him in as starting stand off without having a good look first.

Widdops time will come.Sinfield will be 33 by time of World Cup and is likely to be his swansong at international level.

Quote: Tiddies "Interesting what Sinny has to say here... Hmmmm. New account. Few posts. Links to RL Moments... The deviant Sherlock in me leads me to deduce you are a Hull fan who may not be too fond of Wheels... But then I'm in an odd mood today. A better link www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/26 ... ad-england

Quote: Tiddies "Interesting what Sinny has to say here... Hmmmm. New account. Few posts. Links to RL Moments... The deviant Sherlock in me leads me to deduce you are a Hull fan who may not be too fond of Wheels... But then I'm in an odd mood today. A better link www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/26 ... ad-england

Yes Widdop is injured so will not play any part in any internationals until the RLWC.

Under what rules can England demand players be released from their clubs? Say for mid-season internationals? As someone has mentioned, it's tough to throw in a brand new half back partnership at the WC but we may have no choice.

I believe they have to be released for any International that qualifies as a Test match and affects the international rankings. So players would have to be released for these Autumn internationals, but not for the Exiles game.

we can't demand players be released unless it's a proper test match...ie not against the exiles

So would it make sense to play the French as a mid-season international "test" and put the Exiles game on the back burner so to speak for WC year? If it is at all possible? Just try and get more cohesion between the squad in the build up to it.

I know a lot of fans won't be happy about losing their key players for one game, but I'd be happy if it was for the good of the international team.

We should really be able to call on our overseas players for the Exiles games next year with it being World Cup year.That should have been a stipulation for no series against OZ /NZ this year.It is the only worthwhile hitout we will have before the event starts and 1/3 of our team wont be playing.

It would be 2 years since our whole squad played in a fixture against top opposition,while NZ and Australia get to play each other several times in that period...And we wonder why we get stuffed!!

We should really be able to call on our overseas players for the Exiles games next year with it being World Cup year.That should have been a stipulation for no series against OZ /NZ this year.It is the only worthwhile hitout we will have before the event starts and 1/3 of our team wont be playing.

It would be 2 years since our whole squad played in a fixture against top opposition,while NZ and Australia get to play each other several times in that period...And we wonder why we get stuffed!!

O loughlan is not a better 13 then Sinfield or stand off or better player and certainly not even close to being a better captain than Sinfield and he never has been or never will be any of the above.
Plus I think Danny Washbrook should be in the squad had a great season and rejuvenated his career at wakey. England 13 for me