Sam Burgess.......Gareth Ellis.......now Ben Westwood....that's 3 certain pack members for England in the 4N's that are now pretty much ruled out through injury.

Was actually looking forward to being able to support these guys...as I can't say I follow any of their club teams....but now seems our already weak team has lost its main strength - The pack!

Whats happened with Ellis?

Why is Ben Westwood out when he's back for the playoffs/Grand Final?

He should be fit for the 4 Nations.

They were never the main parts of our pack anyway. We can cover them perfectly adequately.

Having surgery at the end of the NRL season.

I dont think Westwood is competing in the 4N.

We can't cover them adequatley one bit.

Looks like a certain Mr.Hock will be in line for a return to the squad then.

on the plus side luke burgess has been playing well for souths and could come into consideration

opinion of the NRL commentators is that jack reed of the broncos will not play for england as he could well be part of the aus set up in the future (don't know if he is eligable for Origin or not)

we can't cover the likes of ellis westwood and burgess properly, the best we can hope is to put form players in and not favourites. in order to do well in the 4 nations we need all our best players in, and in form. the aussies on the other hand have ridiculous amounts of quality cover in all positions

True, I was thinking the other day what the Aussie third string would be, dont know who the forwards would be but I suspect the backline would be something like:-
1. Duggan
2. Uate.
3. Lyon.
4. Jennings.
5. Gordon.
6. Cherry-Evans.
7. Pearce
9. Ennis.

so with ellis,burgess,morley,westwood all likely to be out england could be looking at a team like

1. Sam Tomkins
2. Josh Charnley
3. Michael Shenton
4. Chris Bridge
5. Ryan Hall
6. Gareth Widdop
7. Danny Brough
8. James Graham
9. James Roby
10. Jamie Peacock
11. Joel Tomkins
12. Chris Heightington
13. Sean O'Loughlin

14. Kevin Sinfield
15. Gareth Carvell
16. Lee Mossop
17. Luke Robinson

Move O'Loughlin into the second row when Sinfield comes on.

Farrell, Wilkin and Hock in back up.

Mossop must be in the side as 4th prop he has been immense this season and would stand up big time against the aussies and kiwi packs.

Hang on. Why isn't Ellis having surgery after the internationals?

Ellis is clearly being a pussy. give him a super mario themed plaster and get him out on the field

Why should he come into contention just because of the competition he plays in – he has played well in Super league in the past and hasn’t come into contention?




That would be the best thing ever to happen to English international selection policy

never said he should get in just because he's in the NRL, but nevertheless playing at a higher standard week in week out can only improve his game. he's playing well and england need to pick the form players. if morley is out i would certainly have him in the squad