Tomkins over Whitehead is shocking from that clown McNamara.

That back row is absolutely shocking, neither Farrell or Tomkins should be anywhere near an England shirt.
Was looking forward to this 4N too.

The omission of Elliot Whitehead is an act of incompetence so grotesque that it leads a reasonable person to suspect a condition of insanity in the mind of the coach.

Everyone's first observation except McNamara!

Samoa's wingers are bigger than our 11-13.

I think Farrell and Westerman deserve to be in that back row from the players available.

Tomkins over Whitehead is a poor decision (having said that I'm not overly sure about Whitehead in defence, but he's clearly had a better season than Tomkins and is very, very good with the ball).

I'm really disappointed in that squad.

I, like others, think the back row is very weak. Farrell deserves his spot, hes a cracking player. Westerman has had a good season but is no where near international standard and will be found out, no doubt about that. Tomkins, well thats a massive joke. Firstly stunned that he was chosen over Carl Ablett, a player that is on the same level as Farrell imo. But then to be chosen over Whitehead is baffling.

Then the Halves/Full back. Matty Smith will go missing, no doubt about it. Versus Samoa, the weakest side we will face (but not necessary easiest) was the match to play Hardakre at Full Back and Sam Tomkins in the halves. Its a mouthwatering combo. McNamara has played it safe with his halves and FB selection. Safe is going to equal average.

I can only echo what others have said ............. I suspect, apart from O'Loughlin, this is what McNamara considers his first choice team.

To me (and everyone else) the back row looks weak, I'd have played Whitehead. I guess it exposes how much we miss Sam Burgess, and the stupid decision not to take Carl Ablett.

I understand why he's chosen Smith at half back, to provide a structured kicking game, but I wonder if moving Sam Tomkins there and playing Hardaker would have been a brave but worthwhile gamble.

As you say Westerman has had a good season and fully deserves this. He certainly won't get "found out" against Samoa. If he is still in there for next week then we shall see, but I've watched him week in week out and I'm sure he will hold his own against anyone. I just hope McNamara tells him to play the way he has for Hull and doesn't just use him as a battering ram up the middle. He can perform that role if needed. But it's not his game.

Shouldn't be Farrell and Whitehead in the second row though, with Ablett on the bench. Picking Joel is a crazy decision.

Think we all thought Ferres, Whitehead, O'Loughlin as the back row from the squad - maybe he is ensuring they are available for the games coming up? Maybe the conditions dictate a more mobile back row ?

We will know late morning on Saturday anyway.

Has Westermans defence improved that much in one year that you wouldn't be worried about it?

I personally would have put Graham at 13.

Riiiiiiight

Was Ablett just not selected then? I thought he was one of the injured players who made themselves unavailable for selection?

The RFL have obviously offered Joel Tomkins some kind of deal to be part of the England set up, for him to be drafted straight back into the team after only a few months back in RL!

If we are playing a running game, Farrel and Tokins offer a lot as both are fast and good ball handlers.
Problem is, Samoa will play a 'break everything in front of them' game and I fear these two will be broken first

The front row will be good for us. The back row needs to step up.