So does Paul Gallen. Don't need speed to play at 13

the fact that people like JJB and Wilkin are constantly involved in the promotion of the WC from an England point of view suggests to me that they are nailed on for the squad

And we will never win anything with th in the team

Agreed. I don't know if anyone saw Mcnamara interview on Love Rugb League, but Mcnamara basically said no player who was not in his ETS and plays for a team outside the play offs is been considered for the WC.

So MOS contender Danny Kirmond is not in his plans, yet Ben Cockayne is traing with the squad now.

As much as I would love an England victory, I just cannot see it with him in charge. Clueless.

Or that they are two of the most intelligent, articulate rugby league players that you could possibly put up for media duties. Two players who are likely to at least spark the interest of an otherwise ambivalent mainstream media.

I defy anyone to sit and listen to JJB for ten minutes and not be absolutely engaged by him, whether you agree with what he's saying or not.

Lets hope they can talk us to a win then

I've posted squads on forums and discussed selection with friends and I simply don't see how we will be able to find places for guys like Wilkin, JJB, Morley etc without leaving out some players that should be totally nailed on for a squad place on merit.

If JJB and Wilkin make the final squad I can only see it being at the expense of Liam Farrell and Brett Ferres and that simply can't happen...can it?

You want an element of consistency to selections but ultimately you have to pick your best players.

Personally I can’t see what Liam Farrell offers that JJB doesn’t. In fact they both suffer from the same problem as Wilkin as International forwards, they are too small and will get bullied by big international packs. At least Wilkin offers some versatility

Wilkin shouldn't be playing international back row, imo. There's a very strong argument that he's not good enough for the Saint Helens' back row, never mind England.

Also, he's been playing half back all season.

I'd probably agree about him being too small and I've left him out of 17 man squads I've named but I'd give him a squad place above JJB. His forms better and he's more dangerous with the ball.

I'd probably select Kirmond or even Hock ahead of both though in a first 17. I'd have Ferres as my bench second rower at the minute.

Gareth Barry has 53 England caps.


Personally, I wouldn't have Whiting in the England side even though I think he's a fantastic player. Whiting's best position is 13 but I'd prefer to play Sam Burgess there. He could be decent to have in the 23-man squad, though.

The biggest debate for me, in the forwards, are for the two second row positions and the backrow interchange spot. Ellis? Westwood? Farrell? Ferres? to name a few. They're all good players but there's only 3 spots. Hopefully players like Wilkin, Ablett, etc, aren't picked.