I agree with Tony Smith's decision to select Tom Briscoe over Peter Fox. From watching him in Super League he looks shakey under the high ball, been caught out of position numerous times and knocks on when their is no-one around him. The match against Wakefield away was a shocker - he must have bombed at least 3 chances over the line. He wasn't inspiring against Wales whereas Tom Briscoe showed much more enthusiasm and took his tries very well. His second took some finishing. I called for Tom Briscoe to be brought in over Peter Fox and he has done this. Good call.

But Smith has now just stabbed himself in the foot. I don't know how he can select a player who hasn't played for months and wasn't particularly inspiring against Wales over a lad who scored a hat trick, setup numerous tries in a man of the match performance,was voted young player of the year ahead of him and was voted the best stand off in Super League. I am amazed. He can play scrum half, in fact, some say that SH is his best position. He would have done a great job. Shocking decision.

Not only is it a poor decision but it looks very unprofessional IMO and has put me in two minds whether to go the England and Australia game. In fact I can sympathise with Jonh in just not watching the game at all.

How can our international team possibly progress with a part time coach? And how can we justify some of Tony Smith's selections as not being biased?

Simply we should not have the Head Coach of England as a coach at any other club.

That Tony Smith is a strange bloke, but there must be a method to his madness
Time will tell

Astonishing decision by Smith.

Over the years I've thought on many occasions that RL had reached new depths of absurity, only to find that yet again those in positions of authority have more ludicrous surprises up their sleeves.

Unless this is a cunning long term plan to help France regain some credibility on the world stage.

Let's face it, with that side England are far from guaranteed to beat the French.

I am not looking forward to the England v Australia game. We are going to get thrashed. I fully expect us to lose by at least 30 points. Does anyone know what the record home defeat to Australia is?

12-50 I think (Swinton 1963)

Oh and the 2004 final 4-44

Oh dear. 38 points may not be enough. Realistically I think avoiding that losing margin may be the best we can aim for.

The best we can aim for is that the Aussies either take pity on us or can't be ars*d to put more points on us after the game is won.

Only 30?

I think some people would take a 30point margin, I know I would!

I honestly can't believe he's chosen Myler over Tomkins. It's astounded me, a hat-trick hero, in great form and he get's dropped for a player who co-incidently will be at Wire next season?

Do England RL a favour Tony, quit now.

I said at least 30! Yes, I'd take a thirty point defeat too!

I'm going to the game because international RL needs all the support it can get, but I'm going out of a sense of duty rather than because I'm looking forward to it. (Well, if I'm honest and its not unpatriotic to admit it, I am looking forward to seeing some of the Aussie players. Having grown up watching world class players every home game at CP, these days in the Soopah Doopah League you don't get to see many world class players in the course of an entire season... it will be nice to be reminded of what RL should be about... superb athletes with fantastic skills... but obviously the downside is that they will thrash us...)

rlAt least one journo has a pair of bollox - pity about the typosrl

Don't think I'll bother watching on Friday. Just watch Aus v NZ on Saturday.

Are you Andy Wilson????