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.

It still doesn't add up

Young player of the year
He is in the dream team
Turned Wigans season around
He scored 3 tries in his first international a week before the 4 nations
He got 3 assists in his first international a week before the 4 nations
He has been playing for the last few months unlike Myler
He is the form player in the squad
He has much more experience than Myler including 2 semi finals, big derby matches and playing infront crowds of 20,000 +

Someone give me a list representing Myler which rivals that?

What more does Tomkins have to do? How on earth can Smith justify it, saying Myler has better organisation is complete balls, why should we have a kid organising at international level?

Warrington fans won't like this post but oh well

I know what you're trying to say, but i'm sure you'll agree that we don't want any of our england players smashed around the park, unlike a certain poster on the Wire board who wants sam to get mullered by the Kiwis/Aussies.

Rightly or wrongly (wrongly in my opinion) TS has chosen to go with McGuire+Myler, and I really hope that big nose has the integrity to stick with his selection and not 'protect' myler.

In the long scheme of things it's largely irrelevant as nosey will be on his way soon whatever happens.

Myler is a good player, and it's exciting that we have Myler, Sam and Kyle - i'd like to see all 3 do well for the future. I do however agree that the it's a farce to on the one hand suggest that the Wales performance doesn't make a season, yet on the other take 1 game against France and doing sod all for over half a season gets you a place.

I don't think Sam should walk out, and tbh from what I've seen of him so far he won't be bothered by what's happened and will just spur himself on to develop even further. He's a smart smart lad tbh, and he won't miss out on the chance to train/pickup experience that being in the squad is providing him.

I'm gutted that Tomkins isn't playing tonight as I love watching him play and think he's a better player than McGuire.

However, and bear with me here . . . .

Rightly or wrongly, Smith has picked a squad with only one out and out 7 in it, and that player is Myler. No doubt Eastmond/Tomkins/McGuire can all make a fist of it (and arguably a better fist) but the fact is that Myler has played more 7 than any of them this year.

Given the squad picked, Myler was always going to start at 7 for this tournament.

Tomkins is not a scrum half. He has a cracking short kicking game and is a devastating runner - but even you Wigan fans have at times, in what has been a great season for him, cried out for an organising 7 to play alongside Tomkins to leave him to do what he does best.

Personally, I think it is McGuire rather than Myler who is fortunate to be featuring, as I think Tomkins is a far better prospect for the future and IMO is a better player now anyway.

There may be an argument for Tomkins on the bench over Eastmond, but I think Kyle's ability to cover the outside backs very well has edged him in there.

I can understand why you are upset Tomkins isn't playing, and I share that disappointment, but I think the venom being aimed at Myler and at Smith for picking him, missed the key point - it is not Myler who is Tomkins' competition, it is McGuire.

FWIW I would have played Tomkins and Myler in the halves.

Well said tbh, I don't think big nose helped though in pretty much turning it into a Tomkins v Myler debate - swapping them over mid game, playing a game that is more split halves than tradtional 1st+2nd receiver 7&6, feeling the need to mention Myler (who by most peoples standards had a poor game) when being asked about Sams performance.

I agree for the future i'd be looking at a Sam+Myler 6&7 combo, I think McGuire picks himself this time though based on experience unfortunately.

You're right about Kyle as well, he can cover anywhere across the backs which is pretty invaluable for a bench spot - I still feel he's most suited to Centre for the long term.

Am I the only one who has a concern about tonights result?


That French pack is huge, the majority from Catalan, so are used to playing together.

I find it very strange that Smith has only named one prop on the bench, Graham (who IMO should be a starting prop)

Some are predicting an England win by 30+ points, I really can't see it.

If Fiji and Samoa can hammer France and we can't then we may aswell just give up now.