No Gareth Ellis ? surely that must be a mistake Wilkin isn't half as good.

I'm not looking forward to this series at all.

If we lose by less than 30 points against the Aussies with that line up, I'd be amazed.

We have a respectable, if not brilliant, pack but our backs are just so ordinary. Only Tomkins is up to international class and he's playing way off his peak because he's injured/contemplating RU.

We always used to say that the thing about the Aussies was that they have strength in depth and could pick another 17 that was almost as good as the first team. Sadly we can now say the same about England, but it's mediocrity in depth, I'm afraid.

I seriously think Ben Westwood would be a revelation at prop against the Aussies, I think he should have a bash at prop

According to the BBC Wilkin is claiming to be in the form of his life.

[urlhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/15290003.stm[/url

I should really have a dig at him, but I can't muster the enthusiasm even to take the p%ss out of a Stains player.

Forgot he'd picked Ellis in the squad - In which case id drop heightingon for him....looks alot stronger then.

The thing with Wilkin is he's a decent SL player but he isn't international standard and thinks he's Wally Lewis instead of a 2nd rower.

You get JJB who isn't the best 2nd rower in the world but he will graft and put big hits in and play hard, I just think Wilkin is a 'cherry on the cake' sort of player where he would stand out playing for a good side but isn't good enough on his own to make much of a difference against the Aussies and Kiwis.

I think his bench spot should be used instead on Carvell, Griffin or Bailey, someone with a bit of 'sshyit' in em to ruffle the Aussies.

People may laugh at Bailey but when he starts acting the prat it ruffles the opposition and I think that's something we need to do against the Aussies, if we go out to play a normal game of Rugby League against the Aussies we will get stuffed but if we 'put it up em' we stand half a chance.

Wilkin is nothing more than a "Flat Track Bully"
The only thing noticeable about him in regards to this seasons GF is his newspaper article, I can't remember him doing anything more than tackle in the final, he definitely didn't want the ball that often

He would never get in any international side of mine unless he has distant Scottish. Welsh or Irish parentage

Sorry to say this but anyone who isn't picking heighington at least in the 17 needs to spend some time watching some NRL games.

Sam
Hall
Reed
Yeaman
Briscoe
Widdop
Chase
Morley
Roby
Graham
Westwood
Ellis
Heighington

Sinfield
Peacock
Carvell
J J-B

That's from the squad he picked, but I'd like to have seen Mossop in that squad. And I think it's time Peacock ended his international career. Not saying he's bad, I'd just like to see some younger lads in that squad.

Who is this Sam everyone keeps referring too? Bob Sam? John Sam? Dave Sam? Phil Sam? Who does this 'Sam' guy play for??

Any ticket updates? Can we pay on the day?

It shows how you little you know about what Wilkin contributes. Remember the Exiles game? Wilkin was one of the two players who made a clean break (the other being James Graham). He tackles his heart out regardless of who he is playing for, always ending a match at the top end of tackles completed. His support play is excellent and he can pull off some tremendous passes. All these things are positives. Just because he doesn't do 'big hits' doesn't mean he isn't of value. His weaknesses are lack of pace, inconsistent kicking (sometimes fantastic; sometimes atrocious) and occasional lack of discipline leading to a penalty.

Did joel not go the full length to score or was i watching something else, there is no way you can try and say wilkin is one of the first players to put hes hand up and take a big drive when its needed because hes not the kind of player. yeah he is a good defender but you have westwood and elis who can tackle for a day if they needed to. and we don't need another play making forward if sinfield is going to be played anywhere.

Against aus and new zealand you know your going to be starting your set deep in your own half so you need as much forward power to get out of there or you will start conceding points.