Can't hurt can it? Roby's not done anything of note on the international stage against Australia.

Agreed. Although I think McIlorum is a better hooker, I would like Burrow to be on the bench against Australia instead of him.

Plus he's an absolute nightmare to tackle without giving a penalty away (and boy will we need the penalties to go our way). Obviously the downside is that his defense is nowhere near that of other hookers, he can't handle the middle, and I doubt he could handle athletic centres (that actually bother to offload, so his good leg tackle will probably be irrelevant). Either way, we lose a defender - so I guess like Hock he's just another risk to put in the team that can go either way.

McIlorum is in good form as well as having the mongrel in him, and does turn up in big games (yes I know I've just jinxed him for tomorrow).

Tbh, in terms of hookers we'll be fine whatever we go for, I won't be complaining.

I certainly agree with regards to defence, but from the other side of it, we could realistically be playing him behind a pack of Graham G Burgess, Westwood, Hock, S Burgess, which by any measure is a very very big strong pack. We could even look at having Burrow defend next to Ablett and O’loughlin two very good defenders (Ablett as centre, push O’loughlin to 2nd row). I wouldn’t want Burrow out their for 80mins but Roby is a defensive machine, we have a huge pack, we should be able to create a combination where for 30mins a game we can cover Burrow’s defensive work.

We always seem to think our pack can contain the threats, but we still seem to get cut to ribbons on the fringes first, then lose the middle once our heads go down. Then again, there's no rule that says he has to stay out if he becomes a problem when we're on the back foot, Roby is a machine and would be no problem coming straight back on.

Tough decision, definitely no clear answer anyway.

McIlorum isn't a bench player. Either start him or don't use him. He was brilliant tonight and definitely puy himself into consideration.

last nigh game will resemble a forwards match between aus and england and McIlorum is made for that in my opinion.

Tomkins
Charnley
hardaker
Watkins
Hall
Widdop
Chase
S burgess
Roby
Graham
hock
westwood
O'Loughlin

mossop
McIlorum
Hill
G Burgess

Sir Kev will be the first name on the team sheet for every game that matters.

Phew! Can't have done his chances much harm last night, was my MoM.

McIlorum has always been a big game player. His style suits tight and aggressive games and he was excellent again last night.

McIlorum at 9 with Roby off the bench for me.

Double post.