1. Hardaker
2. Charnley
3. Shenton
4. Watkins
5. Hall
6. S.Tomkins
7. Widdop
8. Graham (c)
9. Roby
10. Hill
11. Ferres
12. Westwood
13. O'Loughlin

14. G.Burgess
15. Clarke
16. Taylor
17. J.Tomkins/Farrell (see how quickly he gets back up to speed)

18. Sinfield
19. Makinson/Briscoe (see how they go in the play offs)
20. Reed
21. Cooper
22. Huby
23. Burrow
24. Farrell/Bateman (depending on whether J.Tomkins looks good enough)

Hardaker is too good to leave out IMO especially as S.Tomkins defence at FB can be a bit suspect and we struggle for good half backs. As someone who watches Smith every week I'm not yet convinced of his ability to turn up in big games, particularly when things aren't going our way. I know it's tough to play behind a beaten pack but I still think Widdop or Tomkins would have thrown more at the opposition v Leeds (A) and Cas (H, cup) this year than Smith did.

Agree entirely about Smith. Another in a long line of competent British half backs who look good behind a dominant team. He is a good passer & kicker but is not creative nor a danger anywhere but near the line. He reminds me very much of Deacon in that respect.

Well he ignored last years Man of Steel, Albert Goldthorpe medal winner, Capt of the League leaders and SLs top point scorer so don't think he's not capable of ignoring Clarke

Indeed he is. But he's a former Wire player. I'm surprised people are picking Chris Hill.....well, apart from Wakey Saint who decided to pick Kyle Amor instead.

OPTIONS
In order of preference

Full Back
Tomkins
Hardaker
Lomax

Wings
Hall
Makinson
Burgess
Charnley
Briscoe
McGilveray

Centres
Watkins
Shenton
Reed
Atkins
Cudjoe
Caton-Brown

Stand Off
Widdop
Ratchford
Brown
McGuire

Scrum Half
Brough
Sneyd
Sinfield
Smith

Props
Graham
Hill
G Burgess
Taylor
Amor
Walmsley
Huby
T Burgess
Crabtree

Hooker
Roby
Clarke
Lunt
Mcllorum
Houghton

Second Rowers
Ferres
Whitehead
Westwood
Farrell
Bateman
Kirmond


Loose Forward
O'Loughlin
Westerman

I'd go along with this team but you'd have to ask what Charnley has done this season to get in?

Everything else I agree with as I don't think anyone is going to get the bench right as it depends largely on how we want to play. Although I'd definitely have both Roby and Clarke in the 17. The Aussies must be jealous of that!

Don't see how anyone can pick Bateman or Kirmond, and to a less extent Ferres over Ablett, Ablett has been one of the best 2nd rowers in SL this season.

Agreed, Ablett has been very good. But I would put Bateman in as well, although Mcnamara will keep one as a sub, not use them then wonder why a half back had stepped passed a knackard prop in 79th minute.

1. Hardaker
2, Briscoe (just a head of Makinson)
3. Watkins
4. Shenton
5. Hall
6. Tomkins
7. Widdop
8. Graham
9. Roby
10. Hill
11. Ferres
12. Whitehead
13. O'loughlin

14. Clark
15. Huby
16. G Burgess
17. Ablett/Bateman

Shows how much depth we have

Bateman has probably been Wigans player of the season (he's certainly many Wigan fans choice in a thread on our board) and whilst very young is looking a very good player already.

Better then Ablett? Not sure, I don't see enough of him but Bateman is pushing up in to international contention you'd have to think.

Is he big enough?

Not yet.

Charnley has scored 13 tries in his last 8 games; he looks like he's over his injury and back to last season's form to me. He also tends to stand up at important times in big games IMO, scoring in our '11 cup final v Leeds, '13 grand final v Warrington (in the second half to put us level before the conversion) and for England v Australia with 4mins to go which would have put us within a score of a draw, had it been converted.