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Freaky, stop talking sense, it doesnt suit you.

Spot on. Apart from the getting slaughtered bit hopefully.

I don't mind Bridge tbh, and I can't understand the uproar over his selection given the alternatives. His footwork at the line is a great asset and he has good hands, I fancy Smith to get the best out of him.

Sykes inclusion is amazing, he has performed particularly badly at international level, his defensive stats this season are terrible and he doesn't threaten in attack at all. IMO he doesn't deserve the call up no matter how you look at it. A perfect example of the losers LF is on about.

I also think there are better players available than Westwood. Aside from that, you can make a good enough case for everyone else.

He manages centre as you say, just on his athletic ability. His favoured position is half back and looks very assured when he gets to stand at first reciever, his kicking game is reasonably good and he has a good range of passing - so there's no need for him to rely soley on pace and agility. On the occasions he's played 6 he's looked a little lost, imo. Perhaps he's a little in two minds and not used to that postion.
Obviously with Long leaving Saints, he's going to be looking at the 7 shirt next season, but Saints also have young Gary Wheeler (a six) who is another good prospect.

You just called three of the best, more experienced, winningest players in the current generation, losers.

Well done, your training is complete.

That was actually a decent post by Freaky above although personally I see Eastmond as a 7 rather than a 6, Tomkins imo is the one much more suited to a 6.
I think Bridge might suprise a few people, really suprise a few. Seeing him since Gleeson went, he's got a certain class about how he puts his man away..you don't see an awful lot of these days. Ive said before, he's just a little too lightweight imo, think he only weighs in about 14 stone.
Smith may go fullback, I definately dont want him in the centres.

Named my preferred team here: leaguefreak.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=702 I was surprised Sykes made it. He was comically bad last year, like, hysterical laughter bad. Still, give him one more shot. Maybe the experienced did him good.

Named my preferred team here: leaguefreak.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=702 I was surprised Sykes made it. He was comically bad last year, like, hysterical laughter bad. Still, give him one more shot. Maybe the experienced did him good.

I'm having visions of Durham Giant headbutting his keyboard in a state of blind rage.

That's probably why he's not posted on this thread yet. Won't be long though.

I used to think that, but McGuire really impressed me for GB when he came on for Roby and Burrow went to hooker. His short passing game was excellent.

A few points.

1. I wouldn't have smith in the side, I think he is average, but the alternatives worry me on a "Har har" level.

2. I dont like Ellis at , but I once again don't like the alternatives. He is biog, strong, has experience and good footwork. I just want someone out wide that is quality, he doesnt have to be a world beater out there, just be there and get a job done.

3. I have always felt GB/England have played best with McGuire running the show. I think his kicking game is the best of all English players (Not great) but its more his passing game and general vision I like.

My MAJOR concern is that Sinfield will stop playing lock and start playing every other position. Sinfield needs to do HIS job, not be drawn into everyone elses.

4. Eastmond I think I've covered well.

5. I'm looking at the entire forward rotation and what I want out of the entire pack. Burgess is going to give England good go forward. I dont care what he has done in SL quite honestly.

Him and Morely will lay some type of platform. Peacock is on his last stand with me, he has been bloody terrible for a while. Westwood I liked last year just because he got stuck in and then you have Graham off the bench as well that will give a bit of impact rather than just filling a hole in the line and tackling away but producing nothing.

Briscoe
Hall
Eastmond
Shenton
Fox
McGuire
Tomkins/Myler
Graham
Roby
Peacock
Ellis
Westwood
O'Loughlin

Moore
Burgess (as impact prop)
Morley
Sinfield/Smith/Bridge

Crabtree and Carvell to provide cover for props

Eastmond at centre to put a bit more pace into the backline.

Burgess has played his best rugby at prop, and is not a loose forward apart from when we are playing the french

Eastmond is far too small to have him marking Hodges, Inglis, Hayne and the like.

I'm pretty chuffed with the squad. I agree with Tony Smith's comments...the Four Nations is obviously about now, but we have to look to the future. Giving the youngsters a chance this early in their careers can only be a good thing, it'll build their experience and show them what it's like at the top test level.

We've seen Wellens, Pryce et all picked year after year and fail against the Aussies...lets at least give these youngsters the chance to show what they are capable of on that stage. Sure, we may lose badly....but 4/5 years down the line we'll be competing better than the "old skool" bunch have done I'm certain.