If it was Brough at 7 and Eastmond off the bench I wouldnt be bothered as I could see the need for a specialist 7 in Brough. As well as this Tomkins and Eastmond are as deadly as each other in terms of impact off the bench and attacking broken defences.

The fact Myler has even been picked in the squad astounds me. I made a point of watching him closely when all the hype was about him at the start of the year and his defence is terrible. He is going to get found out massively. To add to this his form has been terrible and he has hardly played the last few months.

I only hope Smith is just using this as a cover up to try and protect Sam before the game against the Aussies the week after.

The only way I could understand this is if he's using this game to decide which of the three should parter Tomkins! Either he's using a 4 nations game as another warm up or he's mental, sort it out Tony!

Tony Smith has just lost all respect I had for him!

Picking players because they play for your team is unacceptable especially when he was crap against Wales and Tomkins has been the form player.

Cant believe that he as also picked Westwood who also had a bad game.
Should have been Sam with McGuire

what a joke his team selection is

if he looked rusty, the sensible option is to play him in what is (in theory) an easy game. Tomkins season ended a lot later than Myler's therefore doesnt need the games.

Playing Myler is the sensible option this week, and should mean that all 4 half backs have had a good run out and are in peak condition before the Australia game.

I think Westwood deserves his spot to be honest, he was good in the World Cup and has a physical presence but I think we lack alot of firepower on the bench. As been mentioned another prop instead of Eastmond would have been ideal.

Burgess is effectively the 4th prop for this game. When Morley/Peacock need a rest, Graham and Burgess will prop and Westwood will be in the 2nd row.

Tony Smith is Brian Noble in disguise.

Dave

I didn't realise Noble was still coaching England.

Now I know my comment didn't go right over your head so is that the best you can do?

Dave

What on earth are you all banging on about?
Myler has played one game since July where he was very poor and off the pace of the game.
Tomkins was MOM, scored three tries, made three more and is in great form. He was also voted Young Player of the Year, ahead of Myler.
So why on earth would anyone think TONY SMITH would pick Tomkins?
Tony Smith is rubbish.

Smith was dreadful in the World Cup, should have been sacked then and should not be anywhere near the International set up.
Why anyone would ever think he would pick Tomkins before Myler really does surprise me!

We cannot take the France game lightly, they are a far better team IMO than 12 months ago and with Greenshields now playing the French are a far more dangerous team. We can't have Sam playing in the game against Australia, with it being the first game Tomkins and McGuire would have played together.