The bottom line is if they play for the incomparable Wigan and they qualify they should be first choice for England.
McNamara should be sacked and someone put in plcae who recognises that England will never be capable of competing until the team is packed with Wigan players, all of whom are infinitely better than anyone in the world.

Seriously though Wolf, I think you're initial analysis was excellent.

I wouldn't pick Ellis at loose admittedly, but jeez calm down. Has captain fantastic won player of the year for an NRL team 3 years in a row?

Seriously bro, stay off that crack pipe.

I'd put Reed up against Inglis.
Chris Lawrence and Atkins would be a better match up in my opinion. (and I think Atkins would come out on top)

Inglis still wins but seriously which other english centre would get close to inglis

He might well be our best option but he's leagues behind Inglis. It's like comparing Andy Currier with Mal Meninga.

So who should be appointed, bearing in mind that England coach is a demotion from any decent club job?

Goulding was once again superb today, micky mac MOM by a country mile.
So in the past three weeks hes outshone Roby(x3), Burrows(x2)Henderson(x2).

This.


However, who else? Who'd want it?

Goulding may be playing well but still wouldn't get in the England team as he is behind Reed, Atkins, Watkins and Yeamen.( Granted should be in for the exiles over players like Cudjoe however). Also Roby is easily our best Hooker and Burrow can make a try out of nothing so would be the interchange.

I personally think Houghton is above him in the pecking order atm as he is standing out just as much as 'Micky Mac' (what on Earth is that nickname...?) and he's playing behind a pack that isn't as good as the Wigan one.

This question is wrong.

Surely the man who hired this lightweight is the one you want sacked!

Just because Wigan defeated these sides does not mean that every member of the Wigan 17 is better than the opposition 17.

You are making the mistake of judging individual quality on the basis of team performances. Burrow for example, is second only to Sam Tomkins in SL in being able to single-handedly change a game. Can Mickey Mac do that - no.

a few years ago, us Saints fans couldnt understand why Mick Higham was constantly overlooked for international selection despite performing well in a fantastic club team.

Fact is, some players look good in great teams despite not actually being that great themselves.

McNamara seems to be putting into place (either him or he is part of the strategy) a lot of the elements that have been sadly lacking in Great Britain/England teams over the years – namely a talent development squad in form of the Knights and regular squad get sessions throughout the season. We also have the Exiles concept which, if it works out, will provide the England team with that stern mid season work out that that the Aussies and NZ have in the SOO and ANZAC test. This is all very good and hugely positive for the future

Similarly, his coaching seems to be OK – in the last 4 Nations I felt that England played much more to a game plan than I have seen in recent years with some well structured plays

Unfortunately, this seems counter balanced by a poor selection policy – I agree that the likes of Peacock should be replaced by some of the more up and coming forwards (every time I have seen Hill this year he has been great – mobile and strong just like a Peacock of old) and while JJB, Wilkin etc are good SL forward they don’t have the ability or physical presence to trouble the top two sides

I would be happy for McNamara to stay in the England setup – maybe as manager and have a head coach to work alongside him as I think this would play more to his strengths