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.

Totally agree, strange bench IMO.

I think we've been hamstrung by SOL pulling out - as if he was available our best pack and bench IMO would have been:

Peacock
Moore
Graham
SOL
Ellis
Sinfield

Burgess
Morley
Carvell
Roby

From a Saints POV I like Kyle in there, but against Aus/NZ I would always go with 3 big forwards on the bench alongside Roby.

I've taken France +36 on the handicap.

I wouldn't complain about selection as much as I have if I wasn't worried. Our pack will struggle at times if Morley and Peacock are not on form. The backs should do the job. I really do fear if Myler is not fit though. Its 4 nations over if we lose.

Graham, Burgess, Ellis and Peacock are 80 minute players. Morley can give you 60 minutes. Between them they are more than capable of covering 80 minutes so I can see why he has done it and to be honest whats the point in bringing in a lesser prop just for 20 minutes when you have 4 awesome props like them 4 who can cover the time.

Moore is untested and so is Myler which is why he has both Roby and Eastmond on the bench.

Stop talking sense will you. Tony Smith has picked Myler for one reason, and one reason only. To pick on Tomkins and upset the posters on this board.

Now please return to the anti-Wire / Smith is a disgrace stuff etc etc blah blah blah.

Oh well then... now you say it, we will win the 4 nations.

fwiw i would have played tomkins and ratchford there who r the 2 form halfbacks coming upto the end of season and if that didnt work then put mcguire in with either 1 of them 2

Tbh i hope we get hammered tonight show the **** smith up