Being a rugby league fan for nearly 30 years, it's been pretty easy to pick Great Britain and England sides. A lot of the time they'd pick themselves as there wasn't much quality to pick from. For a spell we were even shoving stand offs on the wing to cover for a lack of qualit. These days we can pick from the likes of Burgess, Hall, Briscoe, Charnley, Lineham, Makinson etc There's plenty of top quality props too. So just for a bit of fun and banter, pick your 17...not what you think McNamara might go for but what you'd like to see.

1) Hardaker
2) Burgess
3) Watkins
4) Shenton
5) Hall
6) Widdop
7) Brown (I know he is a 6)


Graham
9) Roby
10) Walmsley
11) Greenwood
12) Whitehead
13) Westerman

14) S Tomkins
15) G Burgess
16) T Burgess
17) J Hodgson

1. Tomkins
2. Briscoe
3. Watkins
4. Shenton/Sarginson (can Sarginson find the form from last years internationals)
5. Hall
6. Widdop
7. Smith
8. Graham
9. Roby
10. G Burgess
11. Tomkins
12. Ferres
13. O'Loughlin

14. Hodgson/Clarke
15. Hill
16. T Burgess
17. Whitehead/Farrell

That's how I'd expect McNamara to go.

No way Greenwood will play. He won't even make the squad Imo. I think McNamara will play Hardaker centre with Watkins.

You're absolutely right. That was my heart talking. In reality, I would probably pick Farrell.

I'd love Brown to get in in the halves too, he'd be a nightmare for the Aussies to deal with but I don't think he'd get near either.

Regarding Shenton, how good as he been since leaving Saints? He's thriving on the extra responsibility.

I was lay in bed last night and couldn't sleep hence me starting this thread. I tried to pick the best English players (in form) that I would consider for the squad and disappointingly I could only really pick 4 from Saints (Roby, Walmsley, Percival and Greenwood). I wouldn't let Turner near the England team as he'd get torn to pieces on defence which is a shame as he'd be a handful with the ball.

Hardaker
Burgess
Watkins
Reed
Hall

S Tompkins
Widdop

Walmsley
Roby
Graham
Greenwood
Ablett
Cuthbertson

Hill
G Burgess
Hodgeson
Ferres/S Ward

It'll be interesting to see how he deals with the Hardaker / Tomkins option. He could go with Tomkins#1 and Hardaker #4 or Hardaker #1 and Tomkins #6 and Widdop #7.

My only concern with Brown that he doesn't really do it agsinst the big teams on regular basis. He goes missing agsinst the big clubs but looks a world beater agsinst teams lower down. Maybe playing with better calibre of player at england might change that but for that reason Id leave him out.

I like Brown tho and would be interesting if he can make the step up but I think his time has gone and we need to pick to halves that will hopefully forge a long partnership at international level.

Putting Hardaker at centre would be pointless and, a poor use of his skill set. He's Paul Wellens with speed, a natural one. Tomkins is a natural stand off, always has been and, should've been moved back there already. I'd also think anyone would be mad not to pick Cuthbertson in the side if he's available.

I'd go with:

Hardaker
Burgess
Watkins
Not sure, this position is the most open IMO
Hall
Tomkins
Widdop
Graham
Roby
Hill/G Burgess
Whithead
Tomkins
Cuthbertson

Hodgson
Walmsley
Hill/G Burgess
Ablett/Bateman

If Cuthbertson is available for selection then I agree we should use him and I'd pick him over Westerman whom I picked. I know it doesn't feel right picking Southern Hemisphere players but it's never stopped the Aussies from picking Kiwis/Pacific Islander players.

I don't understand why RL is so touchy about this sort of thing when it happens in all sports.

J.Tomkins and Westerman should be nowhere near the 17. Just from Wigan I'd pick Farrell and Bateman in front of them.

Interchange hooker is a wasted bench spot when you've got Roby. Might as well pick someone like Wilkin who can cover halves, back row and probably hooker too.

Is Cuthberton's defence good enough for an International 13? Always looked a bit dodgy when I've watched Leeds this year. NZ are infinitely better than most SL teams also so he'll get less opportunities to offload.

He's made 700 tackles (12th) with 47 misses (29th). He tends to miss a few when he's tired but, I'd imagine he won't do as many minutes if he plays for England.

Fair dos. Pretty good stats those.

I'd go something like this

Hardaker
Hall
Watkins
Percival
Briscoe/Lineham/Burgess/Manfredi depending on form
Widdop
Smith
Graham
Roby
G Burgess
Farrell
Whitehead
Cooper

Cuthbertson
Walmsley
Hill
Ablett/Bateman/form back rower or possibly McGuire/McIllorum/form utility if you are going for someone to cover backs, play 9 or bring a spark.

Quite a few options in most positions other than 7, which is dire and lacking depth as per usual. Plenty of decent wingers and props.

On current for I wouldn't got for Tomkins even though he'll be an automatic pick. Granted he is homesick but his form has been awful this year, and Hardakrler has been absolutely brilliant and is probably safer under the high ball.

his dad was born over here so he has a strong link to England and should be able to pick who he wants to represent based on that fact, it happens in all other sports.

Hardaker

Hall
Watkins
Reed
Burgess

Sam Tomkins
Widdop

James Graham
James Roby
Chris Hill
Liam Farrell
Joel Tomkins
Sean O'Loughlin

George Burgess
Tom Burgess
Michael MciIlorum
John Wilkin

Squad: Walmesley, Bateman, Whitehead, Briscoe, Matty Smith, Mike Cooper

Hardaker, Tomkins and Widdop would be a fearsome triumvirate in my opinion. Class, speed and strike.

Walmsley is a certainty for the bench (at least) as he's the best prop in Super League. I'd also pick Cuthbertson.

The issue for me is the back row. We are pretty weak there and with only Whitehad the obv pick. Farrell/Joel Tomkins/Bateman doesn't really fill me with confidence in an England shirt to partner him. O'loughlin is a shadow of the player he once was.

This is why I picked Greenwood, i really believe he deserves a shout to be picked for England. Imagine how much he'd thrive off the back off a pack who offload like Leeds.

Obviously being a Wigan player I don't like him but Farrell is also a quality player.

Hardaker
Burgess Watkins Reed Hall
Tomkins Widdop
Graham Roby G Burgess
Whitehead Farrell O'Loughlin

Subs-Walmsley Hill Greenwood Clark

Squad-Ratchford Briscoe Brown T Burgess Cuthbertson Bateman Currie

That team is pretty much exactly how I would go. Only change I'd make is go for a bench full of forwards and get Roby to do the full 80. I'd put either Cuthbertson or Bateman on the bench.

Greenwood looks quality to me and getting him international game time early will only do him good. He looks like a tailer made international back rower as he has the size Farrell and Bateman (Both are quality as well) lack but also has niggle and aggression.

Hodgson has been in superb form for the Raiders this year. He looks an absolute belter now. He's also got a good kicking game from acting half if required. Reed has also been in good from.

I really hope McNamara at least considers Hardaker at full back with Tomkins at halfback. In attack Tomkins would play exactly the same regardless. In defence I think he's competitive enough to be in the line. The problem is he's simply not good enough at kick returns or fielding the high kick (not to mention kick returns into strong defence must take a lot out of him).

No chance of this being the team McBanana picks, but on form id like to see:

Hardaker
Hall
Watkins
Turner
Makinson/Burgess
Tomkins
Widdop
Graham
Roby
G. Burgess
Whitehead
Greenwood/Bateman
Cuthbertson

Hodgson
Hill
Walmsley
Ablett

Squad players Makinson/Burgess, Greenwood/Bateman, Westerman, T. Burgess, Farrell, Gale, Watts

Not many mentions for Mike Cooper?

I had forgotten about him, would definitely have him in there - he has been a lot better than Tom Burgess this year from what I have seen

Hardacher
Burgess
Watkins
Reed
Hall
Tomkins
Widdop
Hill
McIlorum
Graham
Farrell
Tomkins
Cuthbertson

Bateman
Roby
George Burgess
Walmsley