I know this is a much visited topic, but yesterday's game set me thinking. In order to beat Australia and NZ then we can't just play the defence wins games model, and play a conservative low risk game. We may win very occasionally doing this if they are a bit off par. IMHO our best chance is to be more adventurous. Obviously this means keeping Sinfield out of the team. While I don't think Chase or Brough would fit in at Wigan, they are obviously the most creative halves we have available. I for one would be accept defeat somewhat easier if we gave it a go. We are not good enough to beat them at their down game.

Widdop plays a very secondary role in the halves at Storm, if he were to start at 6 England need a true leader and playmaker at 7, similar to how Cronk controls things at Storm. With the right partner, it could work.

Sinfield, tricky one. During the game he doesn't seen fast enough or influential enough to warrant a place in the side let alone be named the best in the world. However, I've never played alongside him, he's on-field coaching and organisation could well be first class, what he brings to the team could be far more important that what would meet the eye.

Chase, arguably the most creative and gifted of all available, but can he be the on-field leader England needs? Debatable.

Move Tomkins to 6? No point, if you're gonna split the halves he should be at fb where he can link in the line as he does for Wigan.

Myler? Playing well, but IMO not good enough, would be a massive target in defence.

Lomax? Seems to be a better fb.

Brough, a talented player, kicks well, dictates play, a possibility.

However this is what I'd go for...

Tomkins
Hall Reed Abblet Briscoe
Widdop Matty Smith
Crabtree McM Morley
S Burgess Westwood
Lockers
----------------------
Graham Roby George Burgess Hock

Reserve team

Hardaker
Charnley Goulding Atkins Watkins
Chase Sinfeld
Hill Lunt Mossop
Faz Ellis
JJB
------------------------
Clark L Burgess Wilkin Carvell

If you don't think Myler is good enough, then I don't see how you think Matty Smith is?

Sinfield has to play, the decision will be who will play alongside him.

Because I don't rate Myler. Also, I don't see why Sinfield 'has' to play.

I agree. Sky have talked Sinfield into the England starting line up. Dont get me wrong, hes a good player, but nowhere near as good as Eddie makes him out to be. IMO Matty Smith is a better 7 than Myler hands down, hes a better organiser, with a better kicking game and better hands. The only thing Myler has on Smith is his support play.

I would have tomkins in the halves with widdop and hardaker at full back.England will not play like wigan where we use tomkins out the back a lot of the time so I would play him in at stand off. He is by far englands best attacking player and needs to be involved as much as possible and hardaker would be safer under the high ball.With a back line of hall,reed,watkins and charnley