I kept saying to my dad last night the lack of enthusiasim was my main worry. The side should have been chomping at the bit to prove the doubters wrong after the world cup fiasco but alot of them looked half hearted last night. The line speed in defence was appaling and the Franch were time and again making huge yards forward.

The first 10 minutes next week will say alot. I'd expect to see an England side fired up like no other and really go hunting the Aussies in defence but i just can't see it.

They'll probably raise the White flag around the 7 minute mark after conceding their first 90 metre try.

Unlikely with Tony Smith in charge.

Only thing i expect when we play Australia is Smith mumbling the Australian National anthem when they play it and keeping his bob shut during ours. Just as he did last year in the World Cup games.

Don't keep too close an eye on Smith, if he turns round quick he'll take your eye out.

noticed he does a lot of that he cant look anyone in the eye for more than 2 seconds.

That'll be his criminal ancestry showing through.

we're going to need a bigger boat.

Seeing we have an Australian coach could we not borrow some second tier Australian and N.Z players we might have a chance then.

tbh if things continue to develop in the same way they have in the past 12 months, france will end up ahead of us.

Can we not employ the chef that fed the Tottenham players a few years ago, to cook for the Aussies this week?

You are Edmund Blackadder, and i claim my £5

Although the England squad isnt as impressive looking as the Australian squad, i do think there is a decent side in their. The first thing i thought when i saw the squad is that there were no real characters in it i think that is one of the big problems, no Carney, Long, McDermott to help build the team spirit. We just have the monotone charisma lacking ill appointed Australian coach (it makes me feel physically sick everytime i acknowledge that). To make it work i would fit Eastmond and Tomkins in the side at 1 and 7 to add some enthusiasm, dropping Smith who is going to get bullied by all of Inglis, Hodges, Matai and Sau. Replacing him with Ellis with Graham starting and peacock in the 2nd row.

And im sure the other 16 players must have thought the same as me, if Westwood is one of the best 17 English RL players we have no chance.

That game last night was top quality both teams where immense, where going to get a beating against aus next week, they are far far better than any team we could put out, I really hope I'm wrong but somehow I can see. The pace the game was played at would blow us out of the park in the first 20 mins. I just can't wait for the final between them anything like last night and where in for a treat.