For the first time in a very, very long time i am cautiously optimistic about an England/GB side. For years we have been equals in the pack but really struggled for backs, we now have decent competition in most positions.

I'm not saying we are actually going to win but for once i think we might actually have a chance.

My team (assuming everyone is fit)

Tomkins

Hall
Watkins
Reed
Charnley

Widdop
Brough

Graham
Roby
Mossop
Burgess
Ellis
O'Loughlin

Hock
Morley
Crabtree
Lomax

Assuming no injuries, which is pretty much impossible:

Tomkins

Charnley
Watkins
Reed
Hall

Widdop
Brough

Graham
Roby
Peacock
Burgess
Ellis
O'Loughlin

Lomax
Westwood
Hock
Carvell

Without NRL-based for Exiles games (obviously some of these could play themselves into full side):

Tomkins

Charnley
Watkins
Atkins
Hall

McGuire
Brough

Carvell
Roby
Peacock
Westwood
Jones-Buchanan
O'Loughlin

Lomax
Hock
Crabtree
Mossop

Mostly agree with this team.
I would definitely have Watkins at centre, probably charnley over briscoe as well. Burrow for me should be a must on the bench.
As for widdop not seen him or reed at all this year so unsure of these selections cannot really comment

I think what is interesting is from the numerous combinations of teams, we can also make a 2nd team that is pretty solid too, even some third string options look good...

Your team DG (which I agree with)

1 Tomkins - Jones-Bishop - Eden
2 Hall - Charnley
3 Reed - Cudjoe - Yeaman - Shenton - Bridge
4 Watkins - Atkins - Hardaker
5 Briscoe - George
6 Widdop - McGuire - Pryce
7 Brough - Lomax - Chase
8 Graham - Carvell - Hill
9 Roby - Houghton - Lunt
10 Peacock - Morley
11 Ellis - Heighington
12 S.Burgess - Tickle - Westerman
13 Sinfield - O'Loughlin -

R Burrow - Robinson - Clark
R Hock - Westwood (you can only have one maniac without common sense in the team for me!)
R Jones-Buchanan - Wilkin - Ablett
R Mossop - Crabtree - Patrick -

We certainly seem to have alot more depth than we've had previously, particularly in the backs.

I think I would add Jordan Turner and Andy Lynch to your list from Hull.

Turner has shown huge improvement since last season, and has been the stand out centre at the club this year (the other two have had injury problems, granted). I'd have him over a few on your list.

Lynch has been terrific too, playing huge minutes at a relentless pace. Again, I'd have him before a few on your list, and have every confidence he'd be capable against the Aussies.

I am confident we can avoid defeat to the Aussies and Kiwis this year.

The spine of the team picks itself imo, and looks the best we've had for a while.

1. Tomkins

6. Widdop
7. Brough

9. Roby

13. O'Loughlin


Obviously there will be injuries but with players like Chase, Pryce etc to come into contention then we might do a bit better than usual this year.

1. Tomkins
2.Hall
3.Watkins
4.Atkins
5.Charnley (Has been far superior to Bricoe this season)
6.Lomax
7.Brough
8.Graham
9.Roby
10.Peacock
11.Westwood
12.Burgess
13.Sinfield (I really would prefer to pick O'Loughlin but I dont think you can have just Brough for ingame kicking)

14.O'Loughlin
15.Morley
16.Henderson (If he's eligible he should play in my eyes)
17.Ellis

I think it's a competetive side that would beat NZ but more than likely same old same old against Aus.

Full squad would have good depth with people like Hock, BJB, Chase, Bridge and many more being unlucky to get my vote.

Whilst I think it will be the same results as always in the world cup, I really think we are begining to catch up.

Are people putting Widdop in their teams because he plays in the NRL or because you actually believe that he is the best option?

I don't follow the NRL too closely, so it's actually a proper question as opposed to one with an agenda.

From what I've seen of him he's having an excellent season.

Can't think of too many players in SL who have played as well.

That's the same for me hence Lomax, if i knew more of Widdop I may make a different choice.

I would imagine, some people will say he's doing great there, but some will have also picked not really knowing and just thinking he's in the NRL so must be good

13 is the one position which will spark debate: O'Loughlin or Sinfield.

If we were to go with Sinfield then we would have to base our tactics around him (like Leeds do) in order to get the best out of him; it's going to purely down to how McNamara wants us to play.

International RL is a different animal to SL, so I think we need size at 13 and that's what we get with O'Loughlin

If Widdop is playing well then great we should play him.

I cannot really think of any other options at 6: Chase isn't having the best of seasons, McGuire seems to not be an international standard player and Pryce is a big risk as you don't know whether he will actually turn up.

Brough (at the minute anyway) is nailed on for the 7 shirt and I suppose that a lot will have to come down to who will compliment his playing style.

13 is the real challenging pick.

For the team I picked, it was just down to in game kicking, I think overall SOL is better in most departments, just that the in play kicking is such a big plus for sinfield

I'll be honest I havn't seen a lot of Hull, in the games I have seen Tickle and Houghton have stood out, glad to hear Turner and Lynch have been in form.

I have seen a few Melbourne games though and Widdop has been superb.