To be fair, against Samoa Percival would have been opposite Leilua, who is probably the strongest centre in the game ATM. On the whole our outside backs aren't big or strong enough, which is why the default will be to pick those who are big enough, even if they're not in form.

A month ago I wouldn't have had him anyway near our reserve side. He has put in some decent performances recently though, but still a long way off playing for England. As you say, his defence is woeful at times. It's not his physicality that's an issue particularly, but it's his inability to read the game, & his positional awareness that let's him down.

I'm convinced that's what Bennett will go with too, hence why he played Zak there in the Samoa game.

Whilst Zak has been easily the best FB in SL this season, he still doesn't look completely convincing with ball in hand to pick the right option. Should Widdop play there, a half in great form, it may give our attack more impetus, whilst not losing us anything in defence as he does have experience playing there in the past.

Not saying that is what I'd go with, but that's how I think Bennett may be looking at it.

Hardaker was poor at Penrith and hardly got any game time at all last year.
He looked like a boy playing against men.
He will not worry either Oz or NZ and they may even target him in attack.

Lomax is definitely going to be in there somewhere, whether people like it or not.

Sam Tomkins may have a future somewhere in an England shirt but it certainly won't be at fullback in this World Cup. He is struggling for pace and mobility and if that doesn't come back then he won't have a future as a fullback even at superleague level.

As things stand Hardaker should be at fullback with probably Ratchford providing some utility back up. I'd go Widdop and Gale in the halves as Williams form has gone totally west. A player I'd still be considering for the squad would be James Roby. He looks to be in good form for St Helens and his experience could be very handy.

I don't watch Williams every week so I'll take your word for it that he's out of form but he still has more assists than anyone else in the league this season, playing in a team which has been fairly average with a half back partner in Leuluai who by all accounts has been a let down this season. Don't you think that's still a pretty impressive return for a half back and that he'll look even better alongside someone as good as Gale or Widdop?

He's a supreme talent that's for sure and he is being let down by not having a balanced pairing to play in at Wigan. To let the lad thrive he needs a halfback partner who can take the lead when it comes to the long kicking and the general organisation of the side. I agree that Widdop and Gale provide that but those two in their own right deserve a place. As things stand I think they both have a more rounded game then Williams. There's things Williams can do that those two could only dream of but unfortunately his confidence is very low and he's making some really poor decisions. His assist tally is huge but for every assist there's a poor pass, offload or a panic kick thrown in and as things stand I don't think he warrents a starting spot.

There's time for that to change though and if anybody has the talent to pull it round it's Williams. He could still be a very handy option off the bench in the World Cup. That role may well suit him to a tee at the minute because he'll be free to just play what's in front of him at hooker or halfback and add some impact.

After watching Joe Burgess get spanked all over the park by Cas at Wheldon Rd when in the centres, he should be nowhere near that position. Nor should be we shoehorning people in for the sake of it.

Hardaker is without a doubt the best English Full Back right now. Playing anyone else there, unless Hardaker is injured, would be completely daft.

Jordan Turner at centre?

He had a nightmare along with the rest of his colleagues that night. He did actually show some good touches in the centre in other games but I agree that he's nowhere near ready to play internationally in that spot (although he's a shout for back up winger in the squad now Eden looks to be done).

Watkins and Percival for the centre spots imo with back up being provided by either Shenton or Gildart. In all the mediocrity of our season Gildart has been sensational (when fit) and looks a 'proper' centre. His footwork is superb and he's laying try's on a plate for his winger. His big test this year was opposite Jack Bird in the WCC and he was fabulous. I'd have no issues with Shenton being selected though. He's a steady pick and you know exactly what you get with him.