Nice thought. But we both know even if westy has a blinder scores3 kicks 8 goals n walks mom when o loughlin is fit he'll play!
Just look at whitehead. Outstanding every time I've seen him. Played all season at that level. Prolific try scoring yet Tompkins plays last quarter of the season to a steady level n walks straight in!! Unbelievable to me that!!

Forgot all about Whitehead been in the squad. He may just be testing Tomkins out and then going with Whitehead for the next few games. We shall have to see.
I agree with his halves choices though. Wouldn't have been a fan of the Hardaker at 1 with Tomkins at 6 scenario.
Would also be great to see both the hookers produce some good displays at this level.

When is the 1st game?

O'Loughlin is a better play than Westerman, I don't know what the issue is with some of you.

Saturday morning 7am

Sat 25 Oct 6:30am 4 Nations: England v Samoa Kick Off 7:00am

Sat 25 Oct 9:30am 4 Nations: Australia v New Zealand Kick Off 9:30am

Sat 1 Nov 3:00am 4 Nations: New Zealand v Samoa Kick Off 3:00am

Sun 2 Nov 4:30am 4 Nations: Australia v England Kick Off 5:00am
Sat 8 Nov 6:30am 4 Nations: New Zealand v England Kick Off 7:00am
Sun 9 Nov 5:00am 4 Nations: Australia v Samoa Kick Off 5:00am

Sat 15 Nov 7:00am Four Nations Final Kick Off 7:45am

England games and Final live on BBC 2

Agree about Whitehead, should be starting in front of both Farrell and Tomkins, best player in the Play-offs for me

He is. But never done it at this level n we can't rely on him to play or play fit. Made of buscuit. If I was a Wigan fan I'd rather o loughlin retired from this level n got truly rested n fit for what are now longer seasons. Also if I was a Wigan fan I'd of prefered Tompkins to have had an offseason to get back upto speed as he wasn't up to the standard he was before union.

o Laughlin is overated,a poor mans paul sculthorpe.

o'laughlin is a really good player, but as mentioned above, never done it at international level and not had the best season with injuries etc if im correct in saying.
why not give westy ago. 'lesser' opposition good way to bring into the international team.

he's not overrated, sometimes i despair at some of the comments about non FC players on here. he is an excellent player with a proper rugby brain - something that a lot of modern players lack. the problem with him is as others have said, is that he is nearly always carrying injuries and has to be nursed through seasons. a fit o'loughlin would be an asset to any side. good as westerman is, he's not yet in this class

well done to hodgson as well as westerman, he's deserved his chance too

Can't argue with that. reckon this might actually be O loughlins last tour.

O'Loughlin's a cheap-shot merchant, head-high, grapples, you name it. A decent player but niggly and always will be. Plus, his body doesn't really seem cut out for it - especially against big, South Sea Islanders.

Good luck to Westy, he's really turned his career around and deserves that shirt.

Hull FC captain, Joe Westerman, according to Look North. Mentioned 3 or 4 times.

Game live on bbc2 @ 06:30 Saturday morning.

Our second row looks weak to me

it should be enough to see off samoa - might need to strengthen for the next two games - farrell is fine - good defensive player which we will need against NZ and Aus. get whitehead and o'loughlin back in and it won't look too bad - westerman could still get a bench spot if o'loughlin comes back - in case he breaks down mid game