This.

I did watch origin 1 but have also watched cronulla on numerous occassions this year where Gallen plays at 13. Its becoming an increasing trend to play a prop at 13 with a good engine to last the duration. Like I said, the 4 props tactic isnt dead just modified in effect having 3 on the field with 1 off the bench supported by 2 back rowers. We have to match their size and power but dont have a prop that could play the 13 role so we go with 2 on the bench. We dont match them up front we dont lay the platform we dont score the points. Its not a dead tactic, its not ancient, its how its used. Just rotating every 20 mins ala Noble is gone, with the 10 sub rule we need to manage the grafters with teh engine with the impact and with a huge back row in Burgess and Hock we are more than capable of busting them in the flanks without wasting them to fill in at prop by only selecting 3.

just a few short weeks ago on the VT fans of other clubs were laughing at people for even mentioning Mickey Mac. Now to most people he must be in with a massive shout.

Also certain people were suggesting that Sinfield should play over Lockers. If that happens then it will be an absolute joke. Sinfield has been terrible this season (add to the fact that when he plays well a side has to be built around him, and he isnt good enough for that to happen with england). Lockers is an all round much better player.

Forgot about Reed, Watkins out Reed in.

You will be hard pressed to find Gallen play. Cronulla have only been on Premier Sports 3 times out of 14 weeks so dont know where that comment came from. Quality players like Hock and Burgess are not wasted at prop. They just step up and compete even better.

Some of those players aren't in the squad (and I agree with everything C.P posted - the squad is a joke). The team vs Exiles will probably be something like this imo:

Tomkins
Charnley Hardaker Bridge Hall
Lomax/Chase Brough
Mossop Roby Carvell
Hock Westwood
O'Loughlin

McIlorum Crabtree (lol) Peacock (lol) JJB/Wilkin/Sinfield

Poor!

The fact Banana doesn't include Atkins who has been fantastic in all but a couple of games shows him for the small minded tool he his.

Looks all around the globe for someone with a great uncles aunties nephews dog born in England yet has the talent on his door step.

I'm guessing the reason for Atkins not being included is him pulling out of the Four Nations at the end of last year. If so then fair enough but he should at least make that known.

Atkins needs a rugby brain, he may do very well in SL but he will never be a good international centre because he lack game smarts.

I'm sure he had his reasons [Atkins] and now Banana is just being vindictive to the detriment of us the England fans.

All that post says is, you haven't seen much of him this season, he's been outstanding this season.

Atkins wanted to rest up and be fit for this season I believe. I don't think it's great when a player just says he's not willing to play because he needs a rest. There was an England football player who did that one year and it didn't go down very well. The England team doctors should assess players and decide whether they are fit enough to play or not.

What Atkins had to do was prove it was the right decision and make sure his form was so good that it couldn't be overlooked. I would say he's doing just that.

If he misses out on the first Exiles game as punishment I think that's fair enough, but I don't think it could be justified keeping him out of the team for any longer.

Atkins attitude after the four nations down under in 2010 have a lot to do with him still being left out.

I got told about some comments he made about him saying he wish he hadn't bothered going and how he felt the Aussies were that good we may as well stop bothering playing them.

His attitude didn't go down well and he's still paying the price. If he proves he's changed that then he deserves another crack on current form.

I'm sorry but I would have Jamie Peacock nowhere near the England team.

We are suppose to be building a regular 17 and squad for the World Cup here. We must have more youth and blend in the squad. Peacock and Morley need to concentrate on their club careers which are fastly approaching the end and retire from international rugby league. Even though they are still good club players their international caps should be proudly hung up and not be increased.