Without being too disrepectful to Wales and France, these fixtures do give Mr Macnamara an ideal opportunity to try some of the fringe players, therefore if there are any players with injury hassles, then we should promote some of the younger players.

Am I right in thinking Micky mac still has 1 game left from his ban?

Hall and Reed worked really well last year on the right, but both play on the left normally, dont see why you break up that.

Fair point. The alternatives just don't seem much better to me.
Left Wingers: Hall, Briscoe
Right Wingers: Charnley
Left Centres: Atkins, Reed
Right Centres: Watkins

So in that order it would read Hall-Atkins-Watkins-Charnley, as imo Atkins has been better than Reed. However I don't think I would trust Watkins and Charnley together in defence, and Reed is probably the best defensive player to counter that, also showing he is capable at Right Centre. Therefore I'd go for the above. Unless they both improve defensively, which I hope they do (W+C).

I have a feeling there will be a few withdrawals from this squad for close season operations/niggling injuries etc, especially as it isnt a top level international series

I think as long as we treat France and Wales as meaningless friendlies, or preparation for something else, they will always be looked on as 2nd class and our international game will never grow.

If Tomkins is injured then yes, leave him out. But beating France and Wales in a comp, should be as important as beating Aus and NZ. I don’t think his current injury would be taking him out of a 4 nations or WC.

The exiles is a training exercise and is the time to try new combinations, we should respect France and Wales as our international opponents.

Although you may be right, if we do field our strongest team and thrash Wales out of sight (France will be a tougher fixture), this will do nothing to improve the perception, or the spectacle, of our game at international level.

Spot on.

As well as this, we look to the Aussies and Kiwis to play us, a team which has hardly beaten either team for about 40 years, in order to improve/maintain our own standard so why should we not therefore play Wales and France so that they can improve/maintain theirs? Surely to have a northern hemipshere challenge would be great? If so, the only way that is ever going to happen is for England to participate fully in a tri nations series with them, regardless of their present standard.

Been superb this season.

Is it just me that doesn't rate Atkins? Not trying to be harsh, and I know centres arn't our strength.

He's been ok, superb is an exaggeration in my opinion. Watched most Souths games.

I can't remember him having a bad game, or even making a bad mistake in a game, maybe he's a steady hard working prop now, but maybe we need that rather than panicking every time Carvell gets the ball, knowing we're about to lose possesion.

I support the decision to give players such as Hardaker some international experience against a 'lesser side' (I don't mean this disrespectfully, I mean it realistically as France and Wales have nothing on Aus or NZ imo), but I would have liked to have seen Danny Houghton get a callup, especially as Roby isn't selected. Houghton's been fantastic for Hull FC this year.

awesome athlete, not necessarily a great centre.

Probably agree with that mate, also think Houghton deserves a shout. I prefer him to McIlorum.

Don't see the point in picking Tomkins, Hall etc.

Give them an off season and a full pre-season and let them come back fresh for WC year.

On the squad itself, it's reasonably strong but still some players who have clearly got in on the team their play for. JJB & Ablett aren't international quality.

Just got the feeling that Mcnamara has decided Chase & Sinfield will be 6&7 at the WC. While Sinfield was immense against Warrington he's never really done it for England and i just think Brough/Lomax/Widdop is an exciting half back partnership. Chase & Sinfield is underwhelming.