England squad for NZ series announced.

Includes 7 Wigan players:

John Bateman

Joe Burgess

Liam Farrell

Sean O’Loughlin (captain)

Matty Smith

Sam Tomkins

George Williams

I suspect it would have been more had Sarginson not been injured and Joel Tomkins wasn't having surgery.

Surprised Matty Smith is included.

Wigan have far more players than any other team included.

Expect a slow start to next season.

Probably 10 but Joel is having surgery.

Smith should be nowhere near. Guessing Widdop and Gale/Williams will be the halves.

Smith is going to get rafts of stick from the masses (including our fans after last night).

Hasn't played well enough to be considered.

Sam Tomkins is a New Zealand Warriors player

Thanks for the clarity.

I don't like Williams going at all.

He's 20 and has just played a full season. Let him rest.

Nah, we'll be ok (or at least no worse than usual). They'll just join the pre-season 3 or 4 weeks late.
Smith's inclusion, however, is baffling. Never mind last night's 'mare, I don't think he's done anything this year to merit a call up.

We've got to have at least one eye on the next WC. Big-stage experience counts for a good chunk of performance.

Williams deserves it and he'll be made up so we certainly can't stand in his way.

It's all part of his development and will do us good in the long run (although he may be a little off at the start of next year).

Going where? It's in this country so the camp won't be far away.

The experience he'll get from being surrounded by the best players in the country and possibly playing against the best NZ has to offer is invaluable.

Farrell played for GB when he was 18, Edwards when he was 19.

You can't stifle these young kids, you have to let them go out and do their thing.

Baffled at Smith's inclusion, made up for Williams and Bateman they have both had great seasons. I take it George Burgess is injured? For the first game I'd go:

1. Hardaker
2. J.Burgess
3. Bateman
4. Watkins
5. Hall
6. Tomkins
7. Widdop
8. Graham
9. Roby
10. Hill
11. Farrell
12. Westwood
13. O'Loughlin

14. T.Burgess
15. Cooper
16. Ferres
17. Hodgson

Hardaker will be in the centres. McNamara has only picked two other out-and-out centres and he would't have picked 4 other halfbacks if he planned on playing Tomkins there.

jack reed injured?