I totally understand that point, and before the World Cup i was saying the same. But he just isnt good enough, id rather see a young lad given the chance than a proven failure just there to kick the odd goal.

We have some decent forwards with the likes of Ellis, Peacock and Burgess but the pivots and backs are the concern.

We don't have a hooker who can control a game and direct the side around the park.

We don't have a pair of half backs who combine a top class kicking game and quality distribution

We don't have the set of backs with speed and skill to make breaks and finish tries

IMO we don't have a stand out leader who everyone respects and see's as the top of the tree so in this case I think the captaincy should go to our best player who will lead by example and IMO this is Ellis

The times come for a new generation of England players to be picked imo and some of the old guard left out.

If it was being picked at the moment i'd like to see-

Briscoe
Smith
Shenton
Yeaman
Sharp/Ainscough/Fox(I'd be happy with any of the 3)
McGuire
Burrow
Graham
Roby
Lynch
Peacock
Ellis
Westerman

subs
Burgess
LMS
Hock
Pryce

pryce on the bench does not sound good

Pryce in the squad does not sound good

Why?

He can cover any position in the backs aswell as loose forward at a push. He could come on in games with Burrow moving to 9.

He doesn't warrent a starting spot ahead of McGuire after his awful world cup.

Smith / Briscoe
Ainscough
Gleeson
Shenton
Fox
Pryce
McGuire
Graham
Roby
Peacock
Ellis
Burgess
Westerman

Burrow
LMS
Hock (he needs a big year for club & country this year)
Lynch/L Burgess

That back row looks quality and is only going to get better

i think we have a winner here! impact of the bench, mix of youth and experience! even them backs look dangerous! only possible change i would make is lee smith on the wing instead of fox and briscoe at full back

Depends what the Test is intended to be - an opportunity to expose some young players to the next step up ahead of the Four Nations, or for the first choice players to spend some time together and develop some patterns of play.

I'd be surprised if Ellis was released by Wests or if the England management asked for his release to be honest. He'll get more out of staying down there than coming up to face a most likely mediocre French side.

Smith, Gardner, Gleeson, Shenton, Fox, McGuire, Burrow, Peacock, Roby, Graham, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, S Burgess, Westerman

Bench : Lynch, Hock, R.Horne, O'Loughlin.

I dont think we can ignore Richard Horne at the moment for one of the half back positions....he's worth a game in a match of this significance (or lack of it) Him and Burrow appeal to me as a half back pairing.

atm im unsure weather to go with tomkins and myler halfbacks. is it worth a go against France or not? unsure! but this is what i'd go with

Briscoe
Smith
Shenton
Atkins
Fox
Horne/Tomkins
Burrow/Myler
Graham
Roby
S.Burgess
LMS
Ellis
Westerman

any of them halfbacks
Peacock
Hock
Lynch

as i say, its my opinion! and any of them halfback pairings will do me fine

Against France bearing in mind it's a good time to give a few different players a go I'd go with

1.Smith
2.Fox
3.Yeaman
4.Shenton
5.Ainscough
6.Pryce
7.Myler
8.Graham
9.Roby
10.Peacock
11.Hock
12.JJB
13.Westerman
14.Burrow
15.Burgess
16.Ferres
17.McCarthy-Scarsbrook

Does nobody think Purdhams in the mix? He can kick goals as well.