Its a decent squad and agree with those praising the omission of Wilkins, Moz & JJB. The team needs to evolve and in the Burgess twins, Chris Hill and Liam Farrell etc. we have the next crop. Main area of concern is in the three quarters and the halves. He's overlooked Brough (fair enough) and that's all behind us. But how many times in the last 20 years have we tried and failed to beat the best with a 13 playing at 6 and a 6 at 7. Our pack can match it with the best. It's what he does with his choices at 6 and 7, and out wide.
No idea how Briscoe makes the cut.

Still, it is what it is and let's get behind the boys.

Not really. George Burgess has played a full season first grade and is likely to win the NRL equivalent of young player of the year. Tom Burgess has played how much first grade and to what standard?

Fair enough and i dont for one minute think Tom will let us down.prop is one position where we are blessed and there will be a few who can feel a bit disapointed and unlucky not to be selected.

Tom Burgess has played more first team games than George

Tom 55 first team games, 46 for Bradford & 9 for Souths

George 28 for Souths

I agree than George is the better of the two and I also agree that Crabtree is unlucky but Tom has more first team experience than George and has been strong in his NRL games this year - I think he deserves his place in the squad

Ahh... that old chestnut about our pack which has been doing the rounds for the past two decades.

Only really disagree with the squad apart from T Burgess being included. Crabtree has been the second best prop in Super League this season behind Peacock in my opinion.

Would have been tempted with Ferres over Farrell but think the latter is a safer inclusion.

I think we need the likes of Hock and Westwood in there - as they can come up with the outlandish plays that many other back rowers can't.

its a 24 man squad i expect him to utilise this fully, some of the players will be playing in the smaller group games against fiji and ireland plus the quarter final (the likes of briscoe and ablett) whilst they will probably be omitted from the bigger games, they will do ok in the 'easier' games. once you whittle it down to 17 for the big games despite the lack of quality at centre it is a very good team

Its a good balanced squad, enough experience without too many of the old guard like Wilkin and JJB.

There are weaknesses in the squad. Does Sinfield have quick enough feet to put a decent kick in under extreme pressure, Sam at full back makes me nervous, and our threequarters make me nervous defending at Test level intensity for 80 minutes.

Probably the best we could put together though unless you really want to nit pick.
Glad Luke Burgess didn't get in

But it's true - it's only when we get near the Aussie try line that we don't have the gameplan/tactics/moves/nouse to get players over the whitewash. This is why the half-back (and back) choices are vital...

Fair point.

The last time we played Australia in the World Cup, we lost 52-4.

At least our forwards matched theirs.

Is Sean O Loughlin actually fit for the WC then? I thought he was done for the season?
Also, what is Tom Lineham's injury status? If fully fit I would certainly have picked him ahead of Briscoe.

No surprising additions, no glaring omissions.











Same old result.

Been carrying an injury all season so has had an operation so definitely out. Briscoe will do well with some decent ball which he hasn't had all season

Just announced that O'Loughin's injury has fully healed but is still a doubt for the Grand Final. That suggests he should be ok for the World Cup.

Also I'd still have Briscoe over Lineham fit or not but I'm a big fan of Briscoe and may be in the minority. Definitely Englands third best winger.

A decent enough squad, but still some gripes. How T Burgess is ahead of Crabtree I will never know. He was dropped by us towards the end of last season. I just cannot see how the NRL made him into an international prop in 12 moths.

Lunt should be over Mcclorum everytime

Surprised Matty Smith isn't in as if Sinfield gets a knock, we've no kicker!

Would also have chosen Ratchford over Hardaker. Ratchford has been better this year and offers not versatility than Hardaker.

Just my opinion of ciurse