Squad announced by England.

Charnley, S Burgess and Mossop out
Briscoe, Graham and O'Loughlin in


Carl Ablett (Leeds Rhinos, Hunslet Parkside)

Tom Briscoe (Hull FC, Featherstone Lions)

George Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs, Dewsbury Moor)

Thomas Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs, Dewsbury Moor)

Rob Burrow (Leeds Rhinos, Featherstone Lions)

Rangi Chase (Castleford Tigers, Dannevirke Tigers)

Leroy Cudjoe (Huddersfield Giants, Newsome Panthers)

Liam Farrell (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks)

Brett Ferres (Huddersfield Giants, Smawthorne Panthers)

James Graham (Canterbury Bulldog, Blackbrook)

Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos, Oulton Raiders)

Chris Hill (Warrington Wolves, New Spring Lions)

Sean O’Loughlin (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks)

James Roby (St Helens, Blackbrook)

Kevin Sinfield (captain) (Leeds Rhinos, Waterhead)

Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks)

Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos, Latchford Albion)

Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves, Normanton Knights)

Gareth Widdop (Melbourne Storm, King Cross)

Charnley apparently has a shoulder niggle, but may have been rotated anyway I guess, and no surprises with the other two. Bring it on!

I think we need to choose a hb pairing and go forward with it. McIlorum's absence suggests we might see Sinfield to hooker though. Would've liked to see Watkins and Charnley get more time together too.

Hope they clean up some of the issues we saw against Aus, concentrate on making meters out of our half, make sure the backs get the ball in attacking positions and we should shred the Irish.

does anyone think tom burgess deserves his place?

I wouldn't have had him in the squad in the first place and don't think he was particularly good last week. Given the current squad I think it was a bit of a toss up between him and Mossop as to who made way for Graham though. Crabtree probably should be in instead of him but hopefully he plays well.

T Burgess does not have the experience in first grade to be in the squad.
It appears he was selected for the "marketing" factor.

Chase and Ablett to miss out IMO.

Tomkins
Briscoe Watkins Cudjoe Hall
Sinfield Widdop
Hill Roby G Burgess
Ferres Westwood O'Loughlin

Subs
Graham T Burgess Farrell Burrow.

Edited

No, but would rather have him than Mossop who was very very poor. Tom only got in has his name is Burgess. Still looks the same player that we saw at Bradford, good going forward, reasonable in defence, ball retention very poor. Don't know how McNamara can defend his decision to put Mossop & Tom ahead of Crabtree.

Looking at that makes me realise how special Leeds' back line is gonna look next year.

Yep, that would be my selection too.

He has more first grade appearances than George factoring in his games for the Bulls.

I dont agree he was selected for the 'marketing' factor either as he is probably going to make the 17 again this weekend ahead of other good players.It seems McNamara has taken a liking to what he COULD bring to the team IF he finds some form.Him coming into the game for George means not alot is lost in our go forward providing he is on his game.Hopefully he will improve as the comp. progresses and could be a real asset come the Semi and Final should we make it so i personally agree with persisting with him in these games in which we should win with something to spare.

Maybe, but only nine first grade games this year and most off the bench does not scream Test player to me.

I noticed several people are choosing Sinfield and Widdop in the Halves.
No one cares that Widdop is not a Halfback and has very little experience there? why not use utility Kev at Halfback and use Widdops extra pace at Standoff?

Widdop has been playing in the halves as first choice at Melbourne Storm all last season (and played there in the previous season too), so he hardly lacks experience. Anyone else noticed how our attack improved when he came on? Pity we couldn't enjoy seeing him and Robes on the field at the same time as both of them bring dynamism to our side, probably because they are actually good players playing in their chosen positions.