Agree totally. Our backs are miles away from the class of Australia and NZ

Connor is an x-factor player. I remember a match vs NZ where they really seemed to struggle with him. NZ have several x-factor players, and we have very few. And Aus are always going to do the boring/"make no mistakes" stuff better than us so we need to have some creativity come from somewhere. In general with recent Eng/GB performances, we did the arm wrestle well enough but could do with a little more in terms of creativity.

1. S Tomkins
6. J Lomax Or maybe Hastings dependent on this season's form.
7. G Williams
9. Roby / Clarke - Interchange

Hodgson and Clark didn't do it for me at international level. Their games are both too reliant on oppositions' defences being in disarray, but that doesn't happen with Aus/NZ. To beat Aus/NZ you either need true creatives at 9 who can threaten even very good defences, or the other type of hooker who will deliver consistent ball to the backs and whack in defence.

I was dissatisfied by Hodgson and Clark at international level and didn't think they were what we needed, so I threw in a couple of alternatives to generate discussion. Feel free to make your case for Clark or Hodgson, or A.N.Other if you so wish!

Is Tomkins still X-factor? Genuine question.

For me, Connor and Williams are both X-factor players, wherever they're positioned.

Gale and Williams might give a balanced half pairing between x-factor and steady eddy running the show.

Initially I thought we had good enough wingers, and were just lacking for centres, but then I see some of the 7ft monstrosities/rapid as hell speedsters that are in the NRL and start to worry about our wingers too.....

You certainly rate Williams way, way more then me, although I hope that you're right.
As for Gale, excellent at SL level but, as an international ??

Tomkins reads the game very, very well and it's a pity that he's played very little in the halves, which is the area that England is most lacking in quality.
As has been said, Connor does have some X factor about him but, he's just not consistent enough as an international half and his temperament is certainly questionable.
Whoever England play, the opposition will be all over him to see if they can get him to "bite".

It will be interesting to see how Wane goes and what style he wants England to play
The assumption is that it will be similar to Wigan but, hopefully, he has a plan b,c and d.

No he isn’t at all. One good game does not make him an “x factor player” at all. He’s nearly 27. Real X factor players do it from consistently from age 20 onwards.

Connor is a poor man's Leon Pryce

Hodgson wouldn't be anywhere near my squad,

I'd probably go with:

Tomkins
Williams
Gale
Roby. Clark on the bench.

We could definitely do with finding some young pivots! 3 of those are at least 32.

It’s just depressing when you see some of the names being banded about,

Lomax and Williams are the only actual English halfbacks with any class these days,.

And Lomax, good as he is, looks good because he plays for Saints.
He's not looked in the same class with an England shirt on and without the advantage of a decent pack, our halves are going to have their work cut out to perform well.
Space will be very limited and our best chances are going to come from kicks.

Having some speed at acting half will be critical, which is why I wouldn't have Houghton or Hodgson at 9.
Even Roby isn't as quick as he used to be but, his experience and reading of the game is worth half a yard of pace.

Well no one has mentioned Paul McShane, current Man of Steel.

Should he not be given a shot!?!?

Who do you think will be the next generation spine once all the 30yrs+ blokes go (e.g. tomkins/lomax/gale/roby/hodgson/mcshane/widdop)?

Guessing Williams will be in the picture for a while yet, but those others might not make another world cup.

Good grief. He’s not fit to lace Clark’s boots.

Clark’s strength is capitalising on quick play the balls and running at retreating defenders. He wouldn’t get much of these opportunities in the NRL or at international level against Australia or NZ. He distribution isn’t all that. Very good SL level player, of which there is no doubt. But at international level there’s better options.