Warrington ruined him this season. Trying to make him play a game that isn't anything like his natural style.

All of those had stints at centre though didn't they? (maybe not Whitehead). I think maybe he stands out to me for making breaks because tries often come next.
Yeah I'd have to say part of me agrees, and it's not really logical because he comes up against bigger men every week and does a number on them, but there's just something that says to me he is too small. I think he deserves his chance to actually start for England and show that he can do it. He's not just a workhorse forward he's got a very good skill set too.

He got his chance in the WC & did nowt. TBH I'm struggling for much better with those available. Ward & Currie in a couple of years should be shoe ins.

Do you know whether Steve McNamara even contacted him to see whether he was interested/eligible before he came to Leeds?

Otherwise, that comment is just a massive crock of horsesh*t. I can't say that I noticed Chris Heighington jumping up and down to point out his eligibility before he was actually selected.

There are players in that NZ squad who were born in Australia. Is anyone kicking off about their eligibility? Of course they aren't. The Kiwis are quite happy to select them, because they don't care where they were born as long as they qualify under the rules and they can help them win. Little Englander attitudes don't do anything for England's cause.

Do they?

Would genuinely be interested. If they have this year it must be on the amount of appearances but Farrell has had a couple of spells out injured.

Hardly played in the World Cup. He did get a shot last year in the four nations and went well.

Currie and Ward will do well to get to (and beyond) Farrells level. If they do then they'll have exceptional careers.

Ward is, IMO, already at Farrell's level. Prior to injury, his workrate and ability marked him out as one of the better back rowers in the competition and a shoe-in for the England squad.

I'm disappointed that Dom Manfredi and Oliver Gildart didn't make the squad.

Farrell was garbage last year for England, as was Joel Tomkins. Our backrow as a unit was incredibly poor compared to Aus/NZ. Farrell I think is just too small for internationals.

As for Sam. Someone asked if anybody had watched him play this year - well I have and he has been hugely disappointing. Last year he looked very good in spells and like a lot of people I hoped he'd improve. As it was he went backwards at a rate of knots. He should be in the team because he's got skills in creating space that nobody else has, but to claim he's been anywhere near Hardaker as a full back THIS year is ridiculous.

In terms of Smith, I don't have a problem if Gale is given first shot. That means you have somebody around who at least has some experience at 7 for England. I'd rather that than two complete tyros.

I thought Farrell did OK, but agree Joel Tomkins was poor. Probably due to just having returned from playing union.
This season though i think Joel Tomkins has done very well.

It's one thing for me. He lies on and has second bites all the time, he's one of the most penalised players in SL where i think he gets away with a lot, at International level with Aussie refs he'll be pinged for everything.

I think he's a good player other than that. Fast runner, good passer, excellent defender...penalty machine.

We only appear to have Aussie refs when we play the Aussies. Funny that.

Picking Matthew Smith ahead of Daniel McGuire is a scandal of the highest proportions. I am compelled to ask: "Did McNamara watch many Super League games this year, or is he just plain incompetent?"

If Matthew Smith is picked as Test scrum half then the series is lost for England.

How can you be so sure when the coach has incomprehensibly picked Matthew Smith ahead of Daniel McGuire for the squad?