i feel this is englands strongest team
1.tomkins
2.mcgilvary
3.clubb
4.tomkins
5.briscoe
6.lomax
7.brough
8.graham
9.roby
10.peacock
11.ellis
12.westwood
13.oloughlin
subs
14.robinson
15.crabtree
16.burgess
17.morley

Hmmmmm

No its not.

I pointed out on the VT that the team we will pick at the end of the year will be very different, the strongest we can pick now is nowhere near as strong as what we can pick at the end of the season. I think this is a fair evaluation personally...

Brough will no doubt replace Myler who is a good support player but rubbish at this level, even wire fans can see that. Brough has an awesome kicking game and will control the play as well as being creative.

Roby will play instead of McIlorum. McIlorum does the job and will never let anyone down but he is not ready for this level YET. Roby is one of the top hookers in the world and is always superb at international level.

Burgess and Ellis will play. An argument could be made that these are Englands two best players, they play with the worlds best week in week out and are now two of the best back rowers in the NRL while Burgess can also play prop.

Widdop will probably play at 6 or FB... he should play 6 IMO. He has looked quality for Melbourne this year, he could easily hide behind Cronk, Slater and Smith but he never does.

Adding these 5 players to that starting 13 improves the team by a long way IMO.

Finally you also have Hock who will no doubt put his hand up with the amount of talent he has... maybe if we are lucky he has found half a brain cell in his two years out. You also have Crabtree who didn't play in this game and has always performed for England.

On an extra note I thought Joel Tomkins had a good game and has looked awesome for Wigan at centre IMO. He should be in contention there, he reads the game well and has loads of pace for a big guy, nobody got near him. Shenton looked like he was running in treacle.

After these players have been added we could end up with something like this....

Tomkins
Hall
Shenton/J Tomkins/Bridge
Shenton/J Tomkins/Bridge
Briscoe
Widdop
Brough
Morley
Roby
Peacock
Ellis
Burgess
Lockers

Westwood - Englands MOM made for internationals.
Robinson

Both should be on the bench IMO they deserve it. Then we have a list of players in the running for the final bench spot after Crabtree who also deserves it.

Mossop
Hock
Griffin
LMS
J Tomkins - if he doesn't make the centre position.

Players like Myler, Sinfield and Wilkin should not be in the team. Sinfield could play 9 if needed but not if we are at full strength.

And at the different stages of the season, would allow us to assess our improvements and how the team has developed.

I was hoping for a bit more "spice" if i am being honest. I know that everyone involved heavily mentioned the "mate v Mate" factor, but apart the whole affair was flat.

Tommy L v Micky Mac should have seen them trying to demolish each other, but i don't recall any real fire from that majority of players.

I am glad in a funny way that the Exiles won the game, only because it will bring a bit more interest to the next game.

The game lacked some intensity; if there was a chance to even the score in a couple of weeks that game would be a step up again. A three game series or best of three with a 2-0 meaning no last game would up the anti. The players for both teams will change so much by next year no any bad feelings or desire to settle the score will be lost.

Encouraging. Good to see the RFL listen to the fans, players and coaches.
I know it brings in money but I'd like to see an end to the Magic weekend and the play-offs reduced to top six.

I like the weekend away though.. even if the games are a bit daft

Did you mean to miss Graham out?

MK Dons stadium!!

I wonder if McNamara has heard of Jack Reed.

Indeed, we need to do a Widdop with him.