Watts is a prop not a back rower and is very unlucky not to be picked.

It's beyond belief that some of you are saying Farrell shouldn't be in the team. I'm not sure what more he could do to prove how good he is, his defence is second to none, he makes more breaks than any other second rower I can think of, his footwork is brilliant, he can kick if needed and his passing is very good. The amount of tries he scores and sets up is pretty outstanding for a second rower. He was the best forward on the field last night.

With regards to Smith, I really wish McNamara didn't pick him. He's not had a good enough season and I think this is the worst thing for him, it's not like we're devoid of halfbacks this season. Last night will have done his confidence some damage and if he gets picked for England he'll only get more abuse. I'd like to see Williams/Gale then Widdop/Gale and as much as I want the team to move forward I think Danny McGuire is unlucky not to be included.

Disappointed Walmsley won't be playing, think he'd have made a serious impression against the kiwi props.

One last point about Tomkins, how many of you actually watch New Zealand Warriors games? Because if you did you'd see that he's been far from poor. He's been injured for a lot of the season so hasn't really stood out. The team he's playing in are not very good at all, Johnson never wants to pass for one. The games he has played in he has played well, his first two games this season he was their best player and the NZW fans all thought they were a much better team with him on the pitch.
No he's not has a good a season as Hardaker but he's playing in a team in a harder competition having been injured. Tomkins is a once in a generation kind of player. Hardaker is a better defender but if the side is good enough then your fullback shouldn't be getting tested all that often in defence. Tomkins attack is better in every aspect of the game.

Hardaker may deserve to play this season but to suggest he's a better player than Tomkins is ridiculous. The international team needs to have a core of senior players and Tomkins is one of those.

Three props in that squad, but eight back-rowers. Only two specialist centres.

Couple of injuries or withdrawals in the wrong positions and England are well and truly screwed. Unless people have withdrawn through injury but not made it public, I could name three or four props ahead of Burgess, who has been picked on his surname alone. Westwood and Currie had a mediocre finish to the season, as did Ferres who was anonymous in the big games at the end of the year.

Smith ahead of anyone is a nonsense. Very one-dimensional player who benefits from playing in a big team.

It's a shame in some ways that the Kiwis have had so many key withdrawals. A defeat in this series might have seen the back of McNamara, unfortunately a win might keep him in a job.

Cuthbertson should be in. As should another centre.

nobody is bothered about your opinion on someone elses nationality.

i agree about Cuthbertson, he may be a good player, his father might be English, but as others have said, he showed no desire to represent his father's country until it became obvious that the chance to represent his state and his country had gone.

although i wouldn't be too upset if he did get called up, but i believe that there are young, English guys that deserve a chance over and Aussie who hasn't previously been bothered.

Did Cuthbertson say he wanted to play for England though?.Watts is very unlucky and Matty Smith WTF.....id have picked McGuire. Over him.

He has a valid point though but in this day and age where heritage and residency now count,it's a lot easier to play for any nation.

Watts would have been a good call with some props missing. Even as a Wigan fan I can't believe Smith has made the squad.

From the 24 selected I'd go-

Hardaker
Burgess Watkins Bateman Hall
Tomkins Widdop
Graham Roby Hill
Farrell Whitehead O'Loughlin

Subs-T Burgess Cooper Westwood Williams

I really can't understand the bagging that Farrell gets. The guy is a machine and had finished the season like a house on fire. He was quite easily the best forward on the field last night with 165 meters from 16 carries and he does this on a regular basis. He is a brilliant defender, makes breaks, scores trys, sets trys up yet the plaudits never quite seem to come his way.

One of the first names on the team sheet for me both at Wigan and for England (certainly after a slow start to the season).

Oh give us all a break and have a day off you sanctimonious príćk

5 pages and no one has mentioned Clark being completely dropped from the squad? Thought he was supposed to be better than Roby?? One season wonder or just an off season?

Bateman, Wardle, Ablett, Whitehead, Tomkins, from eligible players all make more, not that I am suggesting they should all be in the squad. Farrell is a cracking SL player but not big enough for international.

I'd play Alex Murphy & Andy Gregory before Smith.

Absolutely.Its a bit like Ablett for us, very underated but crucial for his club.A bit like Ablett though,im not overly convinced he is what we need in an international back rower however he should probably get a chance to prove people wrong this series.