George, for the simple reason that against the likes of Tamou, Gallen & Scott I don't think he'd have the impact he does week in/week out. I'd definitely have him in the squad and think against any other team he'd rip them apart. But, it's only half way through the year, plenty of time to prove me wrong.

Yeah, definitely Sam. Got an offload and is more dynamic in defence than George. All our back rowers are 80 minute players, so maybe Sam would be better at loose. But if we wanted to play Hock and use him as impact then using Sam in the front row and then moving him back and forth would allow for that.
With Sam and Graham capable of big minutes it certainly would allow us to play like the doggies play, two 60 minute props with impact coming in shorter bursts from the 2nd row mainly.

He does do it against those guys though, as you've said he's been doing it week in week out. Easily the stand out prop in the comp so far, a real game changer.

tomkins
charnley
watkins
reed
hall
widdop
brough
hill
roby
graham
westwood
ellis
sam burgess

george burgess
farrell
o loughlin
lunt or burrow or sinfield

sam burgess to rotate between the loose man and prop roles when lockers comes on. farrell great replacement for westwood. graham, ellis, and sam burgess play most of the game (conditions won't be too hot) real impact from george burgess. only real question is who spells roby - siding with sinfield for his versatility and goal kicking. can't see a better half back combo than this one imo

i'd have houghton (or Lunt if he doesn't play for Scotland)starting with Roby as the bench think he would have more impact that way. Burrow shoudln't be in the squad let alone the team on recent form.

The difference is that he doesn't come up against those guys as a unit. And although none of the others do either, they have more to their games than just sheer grunt. He attracts a lot of defenders, if he developed an offload game he'd be devastating. I'd imagine Madge has that planned for him, but probably just wants him to play basic rugby first, which he's been brilliant at.

Hall has done more than enought at international level to justify his selection.

Maybe not in the greatest form this year , but he has shown it on the big stage , unlike others

I come in peace (Leeds fan)

On current form I'm amazed that Burrow & JJB are anywhere near selection for this squad.

In fact if he were not captain, Sinfield wouldn't get in at the moment.

Amazed some of your young lads are not in, but as someone else has said gives them a weekend off and doesn't risk them getting injured in this 'international friendly'

Exactly and people wonder why there's little or no faith in the international format of the game.

generally speaking there dosnt seem like players are graduating from the knights, am I expecting too much?

must admit they were my first thoughts when i saw the england team

Reading the McBannana interview with George Riley on the BBC website he comes across as extremely arrogant and basically says form is long term so don't expect any Surprise inclusions to the world cup squad.

Form is long term. Prick.
Houghton barring a slow start has been excellent for 2solid yrs. Macillorum is the sharpest passer from dummy half in league but Danny beats him in every other element of play for me.
McNamaras reasoning is he's tough an aggressive. Great 10yrs ago. Will just ruin us now, n get us penalised out of the game. In the end of season England games vs low key opposition he was barely noticeable, Danny would of torn them up with his running.
How the fuk Morley gets in I don't know. The Aussies will run him off his feet within minutes. Will be a total waste of a spot.

I just don't see what Sinfield brings to the international game, he doesn't have the influence on the England team that he has on Leeds.
I'm already resigned to not getting anywhere near the Aussies, this WC and just hope McBanana fecks off afterwards.
Who then replaces him I don't know, but whoever it is shouldn't pick anyone 30+ that won't be around for the next WC

Opening this out wider, by the time the next WC comes around we could have most (if not all) of our top 20 players playing in the NRL. Is it time to think about arranging a gap in the fixture list (by reducing teams & scrapping magic) so we can go over and play an international fixture against Oz or NZ. Maybe even meet half way.

No players Exiles which is great another week off for the boys. O'Meley injured and Holdsworth turned down the call.