Currie is injured again as well.

So if you really think going with a second-rower at centre is a good idea, you might as well go with Bateman, who's played there before at international level (and done OK). But I'd have Shenton at centre for sure.

Hall has missed 20 tackles compared to Eden's 9.
This idea that Hall's kick returns are better is also a fallacy. Hall may be stronger in contact, but Eden's pace gets him further forward before contact.

Indeed. Completely mis-spelt Hardaker, Eden and Shenton.

If Morgan Escare had not been injured he would have still been the Wigan full back and Samuel Tomkins.would have been sitting on the sideline, or injected into the team as a backup in the halves. Given the fact that he is now inferior to the French custodian, Samuel Tomkins should not be considered for the England team.

Zachary Hardaker is the sensible choice for full back with Gareth Widdop partnering either Lucas Gale or George Williams in the halves.

Our 2nd centre is a bit of a weakness. How has Leroy Cudjoe been playing this year? I've hardly seen him play this year but always thought he's alright, plus he plays alongside McGilvary at club level.

Not according to Currie..

It has to be Hardaker.
Hall. I like Eden, he's lively enough, but he is at risk of being man handled by the better teams. Hall, while he is just steady, is the better left winger for international rugby.
Percival. Left centre is hotly contested, Shenton is great, but Percival is the longer term prospect while being top class at the moment. Gildart looks to have potential too.
Right centre will be Watkins.
Right wing, for similar reasons to Hall, will by McGilvary
Widdop is going well in the NRL so is a shoe in.
Gale has been top draw, so I expect him to start 7.
Graham. NRL pulls rank with Bennett.
Hodgson. Ditto
Sam Burgess. Playing well in a poor team, world class, has to start.
Whitehead. Doing ok in the NRL, think Bennett will favour him
Bateman. Tough as white dog sh.t, dangerous ball runner and defends well.
O'Loughlin. Still got it, and captain so has to start.

Hill. Think he will stick with Hill despite indifferent form.
Heighington. Doing enough for Cronulla, could retain his spot.
T. Burgess. Sheer size and power will get him in the frame, not that I think he's better than Taylor or Walmsley.
Currie. Unlucky to miss out last year, if he proves his fitness he could take the bench spot as a bit of a utility.

Just to add detail, Hall has played a couple of games at centre and also himself has had about 6 different centre partners this season. Hardly helpful.

Fair dos. Great news if he's fit for the WC then, would walk into my England 17.

Not for me if enough other 2nd rowers are fit. If Warrington had made it into the Top 8 maybe but 2 sub appearances and then Middle 8's opposition isn't the preparation someone who has yet to play international RL needs.

McMeekan? Our second rowers have been criticised for being too small for the last few years.

Eden has surpassed most people's expectations no doubt, but there are still better wingers than him in SL, players who have done well playing for England.

I'd have Mcgillvary, Hall, Makinson and Burgess in front of him.

Gale and Hardaker should be two of the first names in the 13, I'd also have McMeeken and Shenton in the squad, but there is tough competition in the backrow with the likes of Currie, Whitehead, Burgess, Farrell and Bateman. Maybe it's better long term to play Watkins and Percival in the centres.

My 17 would be

Hardraker
Hall
Watkins
Percival
Mcgillvary
Widdop
Gale
Graham
Hodgson
Hill
Bateman
Whitehead
Burgess

Walmsley
Watts
Williams
Currie/Farell/McMeeken

Wrt to centres (and wingers) it won't even matter who we pick there if we play like we did in last years internationals. The three quarters barely saw any ball in the opposition half. The idea that a left wing of Shenton and Eden would be able to replicate their Cas form under the tactics of Wayne Bennett is far fetched.

The idea that they could replicate Cas form against an Australia defence is far fetched, regardless of the coach.

Just on kick returns, that was one of the worst things about Eden in his few games for the Broncos. He looked like he'd lose the ball in collision almost every time and regularly got smashed. Utter nonsense to suggest at international level his kick returns would be anywhere near as good as Hall (or McGilvary). Its one of Hall's major strengths - he's strong enough to take the contact and not get picked up and pushed back 10 yards after contact.

It was a major failing in Joe Burgess' early games for the Roosters as well. He became a target for kicks because he went into contact far too upright, and allowed defenders to hold him up and run him backwards. By the end of the year he was making sure in the same position he was getting to the ground.