Quote: Grimmy "Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of Bateman, but size seems to really make a difference in internationals, and I remember the kiwis having no trouble at all dealing with him in the Huddersfield test. A smart player can also wind him up enough to get him penalised/binned/sent off (I'm thinking the Salford away game a couple of years ago, when he came off the bench, got binned straight away, came out of the bin and got red carded straight away, resulting in a tight loss, and Warrington at home this year when we would have had a scrum with a minute to go at 10 - 14 until he slapped one of their players to give them the penalty to seal the game). Farrell is a bit bigger and runs very good lines which could in theory cause them problems, plus he's the far more experienced player of the two, although granted he doesn't have the same aggression as Bateman. Probably academic anyway as I expect the back row to be Whitehead, S.Burgess, O'Loughlin and Ferres on the bench, unless they use McQueen/Heighington'"
I know what you mean and I remember that Salford game. But I have to admit to being impressed with Bateman's discipline this season, when actually the discipline of everyone else seems to have suffered. Since the 'ban' he has controlled himself very well and I would have have no hesitation playing him for England. For his size he does seem to have freakish strength so the point about him being small, whilst being a fair point when talking about others, doesn't seem to apply to him IMO.
I agree with your choice. Ferres has never let England down and I have no problem with him being picked. I also think Burgess will play second row. We have Graham, Walmsley, Hill, Taylor and Watts for the front row and that is without the Burgess brothers who I think may be picked by the coach, but are inferior to those I've named.