He's not saving him and he made that clear with his comments about Sam's one good game and 3 trys against Wales not making a season.

Until i saw that interview i too believed he may have been holding his 'ace card' back but it doesn't look to be the case.

We're playing what he believes is his full team.

I agree NK, I don't think we will see Sam featured, and I almost hope he doesn't, if I was Wigan I'd be recalling him. I'd rather see the golden boy smashed around by the aussie and kiwi pack than Sam.

Its simple really. Play his love child against France, a game we should win, then play tomkins against NZ and Australia where we lose. Myler looks good, Tomkins doesnt.

Tomkins should walk out of the camp, concentrate on his Wigan career, and then only consider returning to the international scene once Smith has gone (which wont be long).

Sam will probably play a part eventually because the side will more then likely struggle(especially next week) and there will then be enormous pressure on Smith to throw him in against the Kiwi's.

He'll come in for that game and if the side fails Smith will say 'i told you so' in that Tomkins wasn't quite ready to lead the side around the park.

If Smith believes Myler is more suited to leading the side around the park then Sam why has he picked Sinfield? Surely thats what he's in the side for because he's not in for his physicallity from the back of the pack. He's like having an extra halfback in your side which should then allow you to play a couple of exciting runners at 6 and 7.

Loved this comment left on thereTony Smith is abusing his position as England coach in order to favour Warrington players. How can he possibly come up with the statment that '3 tries and a MOM performance doesn't make a season' to justify this seletion when the self-same player also had a better SEASON than his golden boy Myler in winning Young Player Of The Year, making the Dream Team and, by anyone's standards, having a greater impact on Super League this year than Myler! The man's a joke! What would Tomkins have had to do to gain selection over Myler....sign for Warrington perhaps?'"

i have never felt so angry about a selection in my life. Smith has lost all credibility when it comes to his intergrity. i hope Myler does well as i want england to do well but this just epitimises everything that is wrong with the politics in rugby league

This type of 'politics' happens in many sports. I can only think in this case that Smith simply doesn't think Sam is good enough. Bonkers I know, but there you go.

Me too mate. I hope, for Englands sake that Myler goes well during this competition and I do think that he is/should be part of the England future. Unfortunately none of that justifies this selection and, less so, Smith's statements to try and do so. It is nothing short of 'dereliction of duty' in my opinion, given his avowed intention to 'pick on form '

I honestly think that Smith used the carrot of playing for england as bait to convince myler to sign for warrington. obviously he would never publically says this but his statement about one game and a hat trick not making a season is one of the worst justifcations ive ever heard. remind me again Tony who was young player of the year and made the super league dream team. does this not suggest consistent high quality performances. For me i cannot see any other reason than the england spot was promised to myler during contract negotiations with warrington

Defintely someone to build a team around. Cracking player and will serve Salford well if they can keep hold of him.