Heighington is our weak link even the Aussies are laughing at us playing him, Them saying they would be 5 or 6 in front of him before he was even thought about over there, They are saying he would never of had worn a green n gold shirt even if he decided on being an Aussie.

No WAY does Heighington offer better defence than Jon Wilkin! Were you watching the same game as me on Saturday? Say what you like about Wilkin's kicking game - it's usually crap with occasional brilliance (more like good luck!) or about his lack of impact (he isn't that sort of second rower) - but Wilkin is superb in defence. Way better than Heighington.

Heighington is just a shining example of the bollox so many English spout when talking about the NRL. He's only got a spot because he plays in the NRL thanks to the coach buying in to that same bollox.

I've watched ALL three games so far and Heighington is far more dominant in the tackle which is what will be needed on Saturday.

As long as he doesnt get dumped on his backside and let an easy try through like last time we played them.

I did say one poor tackle apart earlier. Because he plays in the NRL some people's expectations seem considerably higher than if he played here.

I've watched all the games so far too but I'd still have Wilkin in over him. Here are their stats from Saturday, both having played the full 80 minutes if memory serves:

[uWilkin[/u
Tackles - 30
Missed tackles - 0
Carries - 15
Metres - 50
Clean breaks - 0
Offloads - 3
Errors - 0
Penalties - 0
Kicks - 1

[uHeighington[/u
Tackles - 27
Missed tackles - 1
Carries - 9
Metres - 40
Clean breaks - 0
Offloads - 2
Errors - 0
Penalites - 0
Kicks - 0

And Wilkin set up one try.

You'd pick Heighington over Wilkin because Heighington is more dominant in the tackle. I can't see how that needs to be a deciding factor given that for the most part our tackling was two/three in at a time. Wilkin performed better. He should stay.

I was amazed to read that SamTomkins only made two tackles. Incredible. And he missed one on top of that.

Just imagine if Lockers was fit, them other two wouldnt get near lacing his boots. He would of been ideal for the battle on Saturday

Pretty sure Heighington didn't play 80 mins on Saturday as I thought he came off at least once when JJB went on, not sure on Wilkin. Stats means nothing in terms of tackle effectiveness and domination, your two/three player tackle comment just shows your lack of understanding when trying to prove something that can't be proven with stats.

Lockers is better then every back rower in the comp apart from Sam Thaiday and Gareth Ellis IMO. His loss has been underestimated but fair play to Wilkin and JJB because they've stepped up to the plate whereas Heighington has been nothing more then ok.

I'm not one of these against picking players who qualify on ancestry, residancy etc but I do want us to pick the best available talent and Heighington so far hasn't looked any better then a guy like Harrison Hansen who could I'm sure still play for England if he was selected.

I'm not saying pick Hansen by the way but just using him as an example of underated talent.

Wilkin played the full 80, I've never rated him but he was excellent on Saturday. We still need 4 props this week though and either Widdop or one of the backrowers would have to miss out for that to happen. McNamara will go with the same team as for France, Wales and Aus though I reckon.

I'm more than happy having both Heighington and Wilkin available for England, even better when Lockers is back.