Primarily to do with the strength of Wigan's junior setup.

I'm quite looking forward to the forthcoming games, because the way you are building up Tomkins, we can't lose.

Id go with Tomkins but I hope he's got a few tricks in the bag, ask old Leon..the aussies will shut him down VERY quickly and they'll niggle him to death.
Lets see how he copes under real pressure defence, i hope he thrives

This is the best bit of the internationals, you get to diss the other teams players when we get smashed by the Aussies. I'm disappointed Wellens isn't there because we could have told the Saints fans he's rubbish.

Unfortunately we will have to put up with some drones who support other clubs trying to tell us Morley is "finished at this level" and one of their no hopers should have played instead.

tony smith will find the right blend of youth and experience,were not going to win the tournament so blood the youngsters and get them some game time against the best,whats the big issue, we had a team full of players with bags of experince in big games when we played the aussies last time and still got 40 stuck on us,nothing to lose in playing them.

Not really, I like the look of Tomkins, but he is being out forward as the be-all and end-all of half back play. His style reminds me of Schofield, a modern day comparative being Benji Marshall. The difference with those two is that Schofield always played off a decent halfback an Marshall gets service off Farrah. Personally. I would have no hesitation on playing Tomkins, but without that controller/organiser of play I can't see it being effective.

See what you mean - I wouldn't have compared him to Scofield myself, think he has more pace & elusiveness than he had. If Tomkins is playing & England need an organising scrum half, with the world on here seeming to think Myler & Tomkins would be a disaster in the 4 Nations this time round, is there a case for Sinfield at 7?

Not my choice, I would go with Myler & McGuire at halves with Tomkins on the bench perhaps but will see what happens...

Slightly off thread here GDMM, but did you know that the Webb Ellis story is pure fabrication and that Rugby was being played long before Webb Ellis even attended the Rugby School. Just thought you might be interested given your sig!

Indeed! I'd love to know how it's become the defacto story though when there is no evience to support it whatsoever! In fact, Basketball aside, I can't think of a single sport that hasn't evolved naturally over a long period of time, rather than being the sole responsibility of one person...

He's only being talked up like that by a few deluded fans on the internet, I've never heard any coach or other player talk him up as anything other than what he is, ie one of our best halfback talents in Britain. It's not Tomkins fault he has idiots talking rubbish about him on the net, but unfortunately that will make everybody keen to take pot shots at him and drag him down. Same as it wasn't Kevin Penny's fault he had people comparing him to Offiah, or Luke Robinson to Andy Gregory.

Even you are saying Tomkins reminds you of Gary Schofield and Benji Marshall...which is a bit like saying Chris Bridge reminds me of Phil Blake.

I was comparing their style of play, certainly not bracketing them in the same talent pool.

If Bridge reminds you of Blake, so be it.

I think todays selection on Myler over Tomkins proves beyond any doubt that Smith is bent! Picking him for one reason only, thats because he is now as good as a Warrington player.

He has selected McGuire over Tomkins.

This is laughable. Our 2 most dangerous halves are McGuire and Tomkins. Myler is so far behind them its a joke.

I think I will reserve judgment on Smiths decisions until after the France game.

Shame the "own club" tinted spectacled numpties on here can't do the same.