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.

Looks like the press has had access to Nsemba this week which I would say pretty much guarantees he will be involved.

Even more confident when the content is about his Grand Final “concussion” and the fact he wants to make his debut on Saturday. I’d say he’s nailed on for a bench spot.

I agree but realistically I don't think there is a need to see 2 or 3 players in action who didn't play on Sunday. Nsemba is a yes and maybe Marshall and Danny Walker but Chris Hill and Ben Currie I'm not so sure. That leaves Morgan Smithies, who I'm a huge fan of but he looks to be third in the pecking order at loose forward and if that's the case, I'd rather Morgan Knowles get a game starting and let him play 80 minutes. I've mentioned before, we don't need two loose forwards on the bench, so he is a victim of the depth we have in that position for me.

It would leave us along the lines of-

Welsby
Young Newman Farnworth Marshall
Williams Smith
Thompson Walker Lees
Bateman Pearce-Paul Radley

Subs-T Burgess Havard Nsemba Lewis

That feels a decent balance of having a look at a couple of players but still naming a side to win the game.

That bench feels a lot stronger and more impactful than the one we had in the 1st test too

Reading between the lines of what is being released in the media I’m guessing Marshall & Nsemba will definitely play on Saturday.

Given they have already stated Thompson will play I look forward to the Wane only picks Wigan players comments all over social media.

Form Prop
Form second row (young player of the year)
Form winger (top try scorer)

It is without doubt some (the daft ones) will say Wane only picks Wigan players

When I discuss Englands strongest team, I feel slightly biased when I say we need Thompson in, Nsemba in and if fit, we'd obviously have Wardle in but it's just not is it? They're the best prop and centre in Superleague and Nsemba is a sensation. Maybe calling for Marshall could be seen as slightly biased but in fairness I wouldn't pick him in our best 17 but if they do want to look at a back up option, get him in there. Come the Ashes, I'd pick Brad O'Neill in a heartbeat if he comes back well from his injury.

There is a huge amount of links to Wigan in Englands 17 but I think similar would be picked by Wane or any other coach.

I’ve no issues with any of those. It’s not Wigan bias, it’s the best players in those positions. I’d personally prefer Ashton but wouldn’t lose sleep if Marshall was selected. He wouldn’t let anyone down.

I genuinely think Nsemba has the potential to be the best back rower in the world.

Ashton is a better player than Marshall IMO. I thought he was superb last Sunday and deserves his spot. If they want to take a look at a back up option, then throw Marshall in and as ever, he'll do a great job. I don't remember us being so blessed on the wings for a very long time because had Tom Johnstone been fully fit towards the back end of the season, he'd likely have been in the squad and pushed Marshall down to 4th choice, which is a great position to be in.

Yet it wasn't all over the media that there were literally twice as many Saints players than Wigan on Sunday, despite them having a poor season as a club. Strange that. Could it be that he's just picking who he thinks the best available players are? Surely not?

Add to that, Smith and Havard never played for Wigan under Wanes coaching.

I agree O'Neil would also be in as first choice hooker,I also would have Ashton over Marshall but would definitely give Marshy a go just to see how he goes and he deserves a chance.
I see no bias in picking the strongest team even if it means a few Wigan players included or any other teams .

I would have Daryl Clarke as first choice hooker and O'Neil as backup, just think Clarke has that experience and would be my first choice.
I really like Ashton but I would like to see Marshall at international level, admittedly I have not seen as much of Ashton at club level than Marshall but I don't know if Ashton has the kicking game that we often see from Marshall and would like to see if he can replicate it at international level.

Marshall named in the 19, with Dom Young injured, so it looks like he'll be playing. That is really well deserved on the back of what has been a few good seasons on the spin. All 5 Wigan players named, with Thompson and Marshall in for Dom Young and Tom Burgess being the 2 changes to last weeks 19. That'll mean no minutes in the series for Hill, Walker and Smithies (and possibly Nsemba and Currie) which to be fair seems about right in terms of striking a balance between opportunity and winning. Marshall, Thompson and Nsemba for Young, Burgess and Knowles would be my changes.

Brad first choice and Clarke as back up (I am looking at the world cup and Ashes)as I think Clarke could be getting on a bit by the time they come round.Walker should be in the mix aswell.

I really do want Marshy to play as he is a class finisher and we need to see what he can do (like we dont know).

I think Junior will play.