Leon or Karl?

I would say the same but I can't help but think about how dangerous the Tomkins, Eastmond partnership was. I would hope that Sinfield from hooker could organise the team so those two could just play. Pryce would probably be great at FB. He certainly needs to be in the team. You don't get many QPTB against the aussies but when we do, I want Leon Pryce on the scene.

I'd stick Myler or Brough at the side of Tomkins tbh.

I'm all for giving new players a shot but Smith went abit too far at the end of last year. We were awful in the world cup and it was clear certain players were out of their depth but guys like Gleeson and Senior are still head and shoulders our best centres and should have been selected.

I actually think if a new man selected that back line with the new halfs we have on the scene aswell as our powerhouse pack we can improve on last years Four Nations. I'm not saying we'll win it but we could make the final and give it another good go(but maybe without the late collapse this time).

I hate him but, Sean Long playing like he was on friday, is the perfect partner for Tomkins

I think its just that Madge has give Joel a free role compared to a very defensive one last year as when he played LF when Lockers was injured, he was awesome there roaming across side to side making great runs.

I just can't agree with that sorry.

Firstly I really liked the way Tomkins and Eastmond progressed as a partnership during the four nations. There is massive potential for the two together and if we’re gonna break that partnership up then the new guy has to be of equal talent. Myler most defiantly isn’t of that calibre and neither is Brough sadly. Brough is a decent SL player who I agree offers something different to Eastmond and Sam but what you gain in kicking ability you lose the running threat.

Secondly although Senior was great for Leeds last season replacing Shenton for him would be a step forward in the short term but a massive step back long term. Shenton like Eastmond and Tomkins held his own when they stepped up to the international level and I’m actually quite excited at the prospect of how these three’s careers will progress.

Also if your going to have Hall on the wing (which I agree with as he’s head and shoulders above the rest) then you can’t, imo, have Pryce on the other wing as we’d be majorly exposed for Pace. The one thing Fox matches any other player in the world for is pace. The kid has it in abundance and he’s also got a habit of getting across the try line as well. I just can’t see what Pryce would offer us on the wing? Full back possibly tho?

I do agree with Gleeson over Bridge tho and if he’s keeps playing like he did on Friday he’ll be one of the first backs down on the sheet.

Myler is a classy player imo and I won't change my mind on that just because he's now turning our for one of our biggest rivals. There isn't a great deal of difference between him and Eastmond imo. I'd have Tomkins slightly ahead but then maybe i'm bias.

I'd like to see all 3 involved in a starting line up and to me the easiest way of doing that is by shifting Eastmond to fullback. It's a position we need to start getting more out of and we're miles behind the Aussies and Kiwi's in what we can offer whilst having guys like Wellens and Briscoe there. The Kiwi's went down the route of putting an attacking fullback in there and a more recognised halfback in Hoahia(sp) and it's paid off bigtime. IMO Eastmond would be a sensation roaming around the middle of the field supporting halfbreaks and running the ball out.

As for Pryce he is a winger/centre imo and has been lucky to be given such a run at 6 by Saints. He's had players like Long and Cunningham helping him out and he's thrived without the pressure of having to play like a proper 6. He'd be our best winger by miles if he got played there. He again could just concentrate on doing what he does best and just running the ball.

As for the centres I like Shenton and he did a very solid job. He'd easily be in my squad but if Senior plays like last year and was willing to tavel he'd be my choice still as left centre. Either way i'm happy enough with Senior or Shenton.

Like everyone else I was very impressed by Joel Tomkins last Friday. He was devastating at times and I remember thinking at half time the oustanding performance he was putting in. He was international potential in him definitely, but this friday will be a big test of him. Let's hope he is up to it.

Pinched off the other website.

(Name - Meters - Carries - Tackles)
Joel Tomkins - 119 - 21 - 36
Stuart Fielden - 117 - 18 - 19
Andy Coley - 98 - 15 - 26
Iafeta Paleaaesina - 75 - 10 - 4
Harrison Hansen - 66 - 9 29
Sean O'Loughlin - 53 - 12 - 27
Paul Prescott - 52 - 8 - 17
Lee Massop - 33 - 5 - 16

Statistically in terms of metres gained, Stuart Fielden and Joel Tomkins were our best forwards. Feka paleaasina on average was making 7.5 metres per carry, which was more than any of our other forwards. He only had to make four tackles in defence. Harrison Hansen was making, on average, 7,3 metres per carry.

It's easy to get carried away with statistics. For example it doesn't take into account the amount of minutes played (Joel played 80 whereas I would argue Fielden didn't play the full 80) and not to mention the opposition.

Friday night will be a great indication of how good our forwards realy are, because in truth, Celtic Crusaders had a dire set of forwards.

I think the thing with our set of forwards is that nobodies stats at the end of the season will probably stand out like a Graham or a Peacock because they're all much of a muchness and the work gets shared amougst them.

It was a solid enough opening from the pack but as you say Crusaders pack isn't the best and theres going to be much tougher tests around the corner.

Lee Mossop defensive stats are very impressive considering the amount of time he was on the pitch.

I remember watching Joel about three years back in the reserves/academy. His performances were very much like Fridays, superb. He then got injured and never quite looked the same again. Here's hoping he carries on where he left off on Friday, if he does he will be deservedly in the England squad

For me Joel was a revelation last week. Effort, fitness, impact all top notch. My only reservation was that he seemed to be used as a battering ram a little too much. I really want him to start running more of those exquisite lines he sometimes comes up with to score some of his best tries. Now we have Deacon who looks like becoming an organiser/distributer I'm looking forward to Joel getting on the end of some of Deacon's plays. It should be devastating.

Well give it time it was the first competitive game of the season after all. At least the signs are there that Joel will have a good season, and with a little work between him and the ball players in the team that link should spark up.

It was only a couple of years ago that Joel was the top try scoring forward in the comp, if he continues on like he started off on Friday I wouldn't bet against him being the top scoring forward again this year.

Said it last season Joel is a unsung hero in the Wigan team.He seems to have bulked up a bit over the off season,after last Fridays performance hopefully he going to get even better as the season goes on.