He could have not picked Morley, Crabtree and Peacock and given group of props an opportunity to shine.

I know he wants to get off to a winning start, but he could have put out a team of players who could have signalled a new era. To be fair Smith did the same as McNamara has done - but I think he should have made a statement - play well at club and I will pick you. To me that means Coley, Mason, Scuton and Lynch could have been the 4 props.

Actually, for the past couple of weeks Crabtree is one of the few players that has done ok, in fact, most of our "issues" have, imo, been down to our backs, the forwards have done ok.

I see your point. I personally thought Mason was your most effective Forward today and Scruton's constant attempts to put in a big hit were a problem today. He ended up looking pretty stupid when he attempted to hit mason when he wasn't close enough and Mason was still about to get the ball away.

It's your Forwards that won you the game today. Nearly every set they were able to put you in a good position to put some good kicks in. You don't get a scoreline like that without the other team defending badly and I thought at times we looked amatuerish at best. The try (can't remember who scored it) where Halley let it bounce was a real keystone cops moment but you have to put pressure on the defence to make them come up with errors.

The penalty count looked one sided in the first half but that's because we hardly ever had the ball it's difficult to give away penalties in posession. The second half was better but never created enough to break down a very professional defensive effort from your lot.

seriously??i didnt even think scruton was on the field until someone told me at half time, even bulls fans thought the same, and go forward?? you are kidding surely? the only time i saw the bradford players move with any kind of gusto was when the hooter went

The one who did the 'big hit' on Mace ? where Mace shrugged it off , laughed at him , offloaded and bang !!we scored again

Platt is given a TWO match ban for the spear tackle on Hodgson. www.therfl.co.uk/~therflc/home/n ... p?id=18008

Platt is given a TWO match ban for the spear tackle on Hodgson. www.therfl.co.uk/~therflc/home/n ... p?id=18008

I was critical of Crabtree's inclusion over Carvell in last years internationals, but I'm glad to say he impressed me. Its nice if your 4th choice prop has a bit more wow than the other three grafters for coming on against tired defences.

I was suprised at Scruton's inclusion, I think he's pretty good, but there's pleanty better in SL, including Mace the Ace and other guys like (for instance) Paul Wood and Andy Coley.

Lynch is a superb player and should be involved in the international set-up infront of most of the names mentioned above. However he has been struggling with a leg/thigh/hamstring injury which I can only think is the reason Crapbanana's left him out (especially given the inclusion of his inferior team mate).

I'd say tonight is an interesting night for the likes of Mason and Crabtree to prove themselves. Saints away is a tough fixture, but we're really going to be struggling with Graham (who make half our yards) and Roby (who makes half our tackles) misssing. We're still missing Wilkin and Soliola from the back row and Flannery has been filling in in the centre. You [ishould[/i blast us up front with your more formidable pack.

Just in reference to Scuton - I see McNamara has made him 18th man and therefore will play with 3 props and a fairly light bench. I wonder if this is because he has one eye on the Bradfords game against Crusaders and this way Scuton can play for Bradford?

You cynic you!

I don't know, its a fairly big pack with Burgess in the backrow and Westwood on the bench. I'll not worry about it sorting the frogs out.

Lets face it, chances are England juniors could turn over the France team being put out tomorrow, so depleted by injury they are, so our forwards wont be an issue.

As for forwards England has always done well in the pack, and in recent years has, imo, the best pack in the world and absolute masses of depth, the fact we can have this debate about which or maybe 6 or 7 props are the best choices pays testamant to that I think.

where we fall down is the backs and halfbacks though, only time will tell if the new crop (and I include Brown in that) can match the efforts of the forwards.