Now that the regular season is almost over I was looking forward to the upcoming test series and wondering how we will line up in the 1st game. Whilst G Burgess will be a big miss I think this has the potential to be one of the best England teams in my lifetime. For me it would be something like this (with half an eye on the world cup in 2017)

1. Hardaker
2. McGilvary
3. Watkins
4. Reed
5. Hall
6. Widdop
7. Gale
8. Hill
9. Roby
10. Graham
11. Whitehead
12. Bateman
13. Cuthbertson

14. S Tomkins
15. T Burgess
16. Walmsley
17. Currie

The selection of Tomkins may seem an odd one but I can see him being used the way that Leeds have used Burrow over the past few years, coming in at dummy half to run at tired defenders while Roby is spelled or covering 13. There are a lot of quality players who miss out and I think arguments could be made for the likes of Williams, Briscoe, Percival, Amor, Ferres, LMS, Clark, Hodgson, Cooper and many more.

That is just my opinion though and with about a month to go I was wondering what other peoples opinions were. The only place we don't have any serious quality in depth for me is the back row as I don't think Farrell and J Tomkins are international standard.

I think you will find that both Hardaker & Roby will not be taking part in the series

There's whispers over Reed and Walmsley not being fit either.

Sam Tomkins could be out as well.

Although they would all big big losses, the quality of player coming in for these guys proves we have far more depth than years gone by.Clark or Hodgson for Roby.Shenton,Sarginson or Cudjoe for Reed.And we have a conveyor belt of very good front rowers waiting for a shot.Obviously Tomkins to FB if Hardaker doesn't make it.I would still think we have a good chance even if all 4 of those names were not to make the squad.

With no Warea-Hargreaves, Vatuvei, Leuluia, Benji Marshall and most importantly Shaun Johnson NZ are likely to be a lot weaker too. I think there is also a doubt about Kieran Foran. Be interesting to see who will play half back. The pack will be strong though with Mannering, Taupau, Bromwich, Proctor, Luke and Moa likely to play.

Foran and Mannering are definitely out.

Joe Burgess should be in this team - McGilvary has been a class act and should definitely be in the squad but I do think we should go with Hall and Burgess as our two wingers .

With all those injuries maybe the RFL could arrange to sign a top RU international - maybe one of those big guys who played prop at Twickers could boost our chances - maybe to fill in a full back or to use his defensive and offensive prowess at centre?

What the RFL should do is offer free entry to the Olympic Stadium match to Union fans who provide an unused ticket for Saturday's game. I am being serious here - allow them to cut their losses, Farrell's boys to play in front of a paltry crowd and England RL to get a good crowd!

When do New Zealand name their squad?

TO late the grand final is a sell out no seats left

If I'm reading it right, I'm not sure what a 'sold out' GF has to do with unused tickets from England v Uruguay being redeemed for England v NZ tickets on November 7th....

It's an interesting idea, can't imagine the RFL suggesting it but it would certainly ruffle a few feathers...

Thursday, expect more withdrawals.

Obviously not knowing exactly who is available makes it a little hard but ill go on the fact theyre in unless they are publicly out so its G burgers out so far who'd be a shoe in for me anyway.

What ever NZ comes even a second string one will be good, we can ride on he back of the crap RU team and show that we have a Rugby Team that can win something this year, we need to pick the best team available to us, and not just pick kids for the future, I think having a few in the squad yes, but knowing they are there for the experience more than anything and pick a best 17/18 man team and go with it for all 3 games

Mine would be

Hardaker
Briscoe
Watkins
Reed
Hall

Widdop
Smith

T, Burguess
Roby
Graham

J. Tomkins
Bateman
O'Loughlin

Subs
Cuthbertson
Hill
Walmsley
S. Tomkins

Others

Currie
Cooper
McGilvray
Williams
Farrell
Percival
(would have been Stevie Ward if fit)

I didn't mention the GF!

1. Hardaker
2. Burgess
3. Watkins
4. Reed
5. Hall
6. Tomkins
7. Widdop
8. Graham
9. Roby
10. Walmsley
11. Tomkins
12. Bateman
13. O'Loughlin

14. Gale
15. Whitehead
16. Burgess
17. Cuthbertson

18. Clark
19. McGillvary
20. Hill
21. Williams
22. Cooper
23. Farrell
24. Percival

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

Subs
Hill
T Burgess
Bateman
Clark

Rest of squad
McGillvary
Percival
Gale
Williams (just over Josh Hodgson so he can cover half/hooker)
Cooper
Cuthbertson
J Tomkins

My team would be something similar.Surely if your picking Cuthbertson though, he makes the 17.I would play him off the bench, would cause havoc with the offloads on the tiring NZ forwards.

Hardaker, McGillvary, Watkins, Reed, Hall, Widdop, Gale, Graham, Roby, Walmsley, Farrell, Bateman, Cuthbertson.

Subs: Hill, Lynch, Clark, Currie

Squad: Tomkins, Cooper, Joe Burgess, Shenton, Ablett, Whitehead

There are set to be several pull outs on both sides. I don't think this series is being taken very seriously. I'd expect to see players who wouldn't normally have been considered playing, on both sides.

I think the fact I'm still torn if we should or not has meant I've kept him out of the 17. He's had a great year but I just can't decide if I think we should pick him.

One thing is for sure-if we pick him then we've got the players to exploit his offloading game even more so then Leeds do. He'd have guys around him like Hardaker and Watkins as usual but also huge attacking threats like Sam Tomkins, Widdop, Roby and Clark. It would be fighting fire with fire to include an offloading forward like him.

Based upon the positive reactions to this series, perhaps one of the games should be transferred to Oldhams whitefield stadium as a reward for them winning League 1.

It would be in line with what keeps being posted.

Re saddened:-

Quite the opposite really.

England should be taking it very, very seriously. You need silverware and to get some sort of momentum rolling forward into the RLWC 2017.

NZs response has been very poor with the obvious non-injury withdrawals - on a par with what one would expect from Australia. They should be battered over the head for it and damage done to their position as no. 1. That is now deserved.

For Britain to back away from such a challenge would, I fear, be symptomatic of the current state of the game and its depressed outlook. Stand up for Gods sake and get to the games.

Burgess before McGilvary (who has never played in a big game) and Hill starting with Walmsley on interchange.

Hodgson before Clark as he has been carrying an injury for months.