Plays well when the Leeds pack is dominant, but what will he offer for England when we're getting battered by the Australian and New Zealand forwards? Does he have that bit of magic in him to turn a game? Unsure. Definitely got to play 13 if he's in the side for me.

Fantasticchoice for captain. Ignore the wigan fans who think the international indadequate o loughlin should be captain

Give him a halfback partner that suit him like he has at Leeds then you're ok. That definitely ISN'T Chase! Perhaps Myler, he's use to playing with a not-too-quick 6 every week who is more of a thinker with a great kicking game.

I'd definitely move Tomkins to 6 or 7, and let someone with a physical presence - possibly Hardaker - take the flak of high balls etc. Five out of 6 tackles Tomkins would play exactly the same role he does at fullback but would not be as easily isolated. Personally, having seen a fair amount of him, I'd go for Widdopp/Tomkins at 6 and 7 with Sinfield at 13. I'd also make Sinfield responsible for running sets of 6 and long kicking, but if/when we get into the opposition 20 I'd be looking at planned moves around Widdopp/Tomkins.

The pluses for England are that if everybody's fit we may actually have some threequarters with punch - Charnley, Hall, Briscoe, Watkins, Reed and Atkins are miles ahead of what Tony Smith had just a few years ago.

On the downside, I simply don't buy into this 'better pack' routine that gets put out every year. Until our pack stands up to Australia in a big game, both physically and in playing as a unit and helping create space for the backs with dummy runners, I will not believe it. If anything I think its our much vaunted pack which has been most disappointing in big games.

If we have to pick a Captain Sinfield is one of a couple of people who are a good choice.

I however disagree with the concept of picking an international captain and would prefer SM to pick a leadership team of 5 players. Once a captain is named the coach is effectively forced to pick him regardless of his form or the form of anyone else competing for his position. With a leadership team we could nominate a captain from the group on a game by game basis and the coach would be in a better position to change the team if needed.

Good decision. But five years too late. I really like Kevin Sinfield but I'd have gone with James Roby.