Although Aussie will very likely beat us, how can you look forward to our national team getting their backsides kicked ?
Surely, even if our own choices don't make the squad, we should still support the team.

I agree with you and its not about the players its the coach he is a joke kirmond was far better thsn hock n farrell last season but its clubs and names to him as was ferres by the way brough should have been in too and i know he play for scotland but he wouldnt have if mac wanted him

What, even if they're not English and would rather be playing for their own countries???

Pick English players on form, not reputation and I'll support them. Pick reputations and foreigners and I'll support whoever "England" are playing.

I hope we do get stuffed because I'd like to see McNamara lose his job!

Fair point about picking English players to play for England but, the Aussies and Kiwis play for all of the southern hemisphere countries, not to mention France or Ireland etc, etc, but in the world we are in, this happens in all sports and not just RL and I agree with you about MacBanana, who seemed to get the gig because he was "available".
However, there is no way EVER, that I could support the team playing against England, just so the coach loses his job.

Also, bear in mind, how many coaches we've had over the last 30+ years and none of them have managed to create a team that can truly compete with the Aussie, so changing the coach wont be the magic ingredient.

We need more youngsters coming into the game, something that franchising started to change but now, with the domestic game dying on its backside, we are getting further away from being competitive but, this wont stop me supporting the national team.

Following England is a bit like following Trin. We're not expected to win the big prize but, i'll still be there supporting my team(s).

he hasn't picked an out and out scrum half, yet the best English player in the country is a scrum half!!! Steve McNamara is a joke!

I know other sports and other countries do it but it still doesn't make it right. I don't really give a toss what, for example, the England Cricket team do or the Fijian Rugby League team do.

Rugby League is the sport I'm interested in, England is my home nation. I would like the English Rugby League team to be made up of English Rugby League players no matter what other sports/nations are doing. If that means we don't win then so be it, but if there is a team of ENGLISH players giving their all then I'll be satisfied.

I know others have other opinions and this is just mine but I refuse to support a team that is made up of non-English players.

I actually agree with most of the choices tbh, never expected Kirmond to get (nor did I expect Ferres or Crabtree either). Although Hock and Kirmond play the same position they are difficult to compare - Hock is a gamble, an impact player who can potentially turn a game (as well as cock it up) but we need to take gambles to win this cup over Aus and NZ - would also put Chase in a similar category. Kirmond would do a job but hasn't played at that level before and he's been playing with multiple injuries for the back half of the season, so I think its fair that he hasn't made it.

Those anti-railing England because they don't like McNamara or the choices he has made must have a really enjoyable life. Really sad imo.

some good points

Ah, the old "I hope England loose because X player should have been included instead of Y" very mature. I don't understand the mentality of the average run of the mill rugby league fan, almost wishing the demise of the sport just to prove some blinkered viewpoint.

I bet it's the same people that:

Hope London fail.
Rubbed their hands when Crusaders went tits.
Wanted P&R when it looked like we wouldn't get a franchise
Now want franchising cos it looks like we could get relegated next term.
Didn't want the Froggies in.

It's these sort of attitudes that will see the game wither and die with pit village V pit village before you know it. We have the greatest sporting product by far, but the game is run and supported by far too many doylems for it to prosper. Compare and contrast to RU.

So how long do they have to have been here to be English in your opinion?
Do they have to be born here? Society has changed and that doesn't work any more.

Never gives a stuff about international games personally.

Can't get into it. I don't necessarily support rugby league as a whole either. I support Wakey and I still get the excitement and anticipation on the terraces at BV.

So although it would have been nice to see a Wakey player or 2 there I really don't care that much.

I'd like to see the re-introduction of team GB.

I agree that the likes of Chase shouldn't be in the team, clearly not English. Makes a mockery of it all.

If we are to have a level playing field anyone that qualifies on residency and is good enough should be selected. The Aussies and Kiwi's have been poaching players for years from different country's so why shouldn't we.

Brough was never going to be in given he stated he had made available for Scotland. I don't mind his lack if selection as despite being a stand out in SL when he has come up against the bigger teams in games that count he has gone missing.

Kirmond is a tough one. The pack is certainly our strongest part of the squad. For me it is a direct shoot out between Kirmond and Ablett. I assume he has gone for Ablett because he can cover centre. I think if Reed was fit Kirmond would have got in. Farrell is in excellent form again and I think due to his style is not in direct competition with Kirmond.

I would have preferred to see Luke Burgess in over Hill, but all in all I think the squad is not far off as good as we could have hoped for.

Personally regardless who is selected cannot wait for the World Cup.

only a wigan fan could shout up farrel he will be chicken feed to the aussies im afraid ,apologies will be there if he provesa me wrong