Thompson will come in for Knowles. Knowles is a long minutes player and doesn't have the impact doing shorter stints

Watched it back tonight. Lees went well so he definitely won't be the one to make way. I thought the half back debate was stopped in its tracks. Smith was superb and everything came off the back of him. My MOM.

15,137

For some reason I’m not able to quote but in response to @Phuzzy, I actually don’t think there is in reality a half back debate because Smith is the only natural half back in the squad.

The debate really should be Williams or Lewis not Smith or Lewis.

Smith is a natural halfback and both Lewis and Williams are highbrid 5/8ths who could do a job at half back.

Whilst Lewis and Smith both wear 7 for their club sides they play different roles and Smith is by far the better half back of the 2 with his kicking game, organisation play and game management.

That’s not slating Lewis because he does things that Smith can’t too particularly as a running threat and whilst both Williams and Lewis could “do a job” playing the half back role neither are as good as Smith is in that position.

that was virtually the pre-match debate, and all 3 former pros (Wilkin, Brown and Peacock) picked Smith because of his control and ability to do it in the big games

Wilkin did show some stats which showed the difference between Smith and Lewis, but it just really showed that Lewis ran the ball more / backed up, as he scored more tries, made more metres and more tackle bursts. We all know that Smith rarely takes on the line, but creates space for those around him, and his tactical kicking in game is outstanding

The stats comparison between Lewis and Smith is to be fair pretty irrelevant. Saw some things posted on social media around that and people saying this is why Lewis should play 7.

It would much more relevant to compare Lewis stats with French as there roles are more comparable for their teams.

It’s all great debate though I guess and generated interest I just get frustrated when a section of fans were booing Lewis, and some of the Saints players too. What they do at club level and how they play/interact with fans should be put to one side when they pull on an England shirt. Was always the same when England played at Headingley when Tomkins was involved.

Whilst I appreciate there is more to the booing than the debate around who should play 7 it’s certainly a contributing factor.

Great post. Think how much better Hull KR would be if they signed Sneyd instead of May.

Would allow Lewis to play to his strengths and not worry about game management.


I enjoyed the novelty of cheering on the likes of Lewis, Welsby and Williams. I punched the air when Lewis scored.

Thought Daryl Clark had a great game interception apart.

i completely agree in regards to the stats comparing Lewis and Smith, and the experts did also say, should the conversation not be Smith with Williams / Lewis, not Smith or Lewis, so they alluded to the fact that Williams and Lewis are different types of player, and that Smith should play with one of them

as with many others, i just dont get booing our own players, yes, week in week out, when they are representing the club playing Wigan, but put on an England or GB jersey and they are our own v whoever we are playing. I've heard if for years with Bobby Goulding getting it off Wiganers at Wembley v Oz (really didnt get it) and Faz got it for years to when playing 2nd row as Scully was 13. i actually had a massive argument at Huddersfield about that with loads of yorkshiremen, Faz is f***ing s**** etc etc, so i asked if they'd actually watched the 1st test and seen the stats, and that he's playing 2nd row and not 13. When i educated them slightly, they all soon sat down and shut up, and actually got on with supporting GB

I understand the logic in what you are saying about blooding players, but at some point you do have to put them into this type of arena and for me it is better to do it now against Samoa than maybe next year in a three test series against the Aussies, yes Nsemba will be a year older and have more game time under his belt but you will then be blooding a young player against the worlds best team, for me I would take that opportunity now to see how he can perform against a good Samoan team.

It sounds like there will be changes Wane has confirmed Thompson will definitely play. He’s also said they are looking at injuries that both Wingers picked up so Marshy may well get his chance.

looked like Dom Young had his hand in a strapping in a photo i've seen from after the game but didnt look serious if thats the injury, as it was only a light bandage / strapping

He picked up a knock at the game too. He was receiving treatment at one point that I don't remember being picked up on TV.

I think there'll be a few changes.

Thompson will come straight in (and rightly so) and I can see Nsemba off the bench, Marshall for Young or Ashton and Walker replacing Clark.

Wane will be desperate for a 2-0 series win but given there is no third game he can't lose the series. Its a good opportunity to see the likes of Marshall and Nsemba in a Test arena.

I hope he doesn't make too many because we need to win the series and caps shouldn't be handed out for the sake of it. If a winger is inured, then fair enough Marshall comes in and clearly Thompson is in our best 17 but the only other player I'd consider bringing in would be Nsemba. I do think we'll see Chris Hill get a potential send off though.

It's a balancing act though. It's not like football with numerous friendlies throughout the year against decent sides. If he doesn't give players a chance how does he give them international experience and how does he assess how they cope against good teams?

Playing France is a waste of time as would playing an All Stars team. These opportunities don't come up much.