Any ideas when the team is being announced?

England meet France in the Gillette Fusion International on Saturday 13 June in Paris. Tony Smith will announce his squad for the fixture about 10 days before the date of the game.

officially announcement is on wednesday

What do ya reckon the team will be?

1. Wellens (unfortunately)
2. Hall
3. Shenton
4. Gleeson
5. Fox
6. Mcguire
7. Burrows

8. Peacock
9. Higham
10. Graham
11. Westwood
12. JJB
13. O'loughlin

14. Morley
15. Burgess (sam)
16. Westerman
17. Roby

no briscoe at FB?

Hopefully:

1. Briscoe
2. Hall
3. Shenton
4. Gleeson
5. Fox
6. Sinfield
7. Myler
8. Graham
9. Diskin
10. Peacock
11. JJB
12. S. Burgess
13. Westerman

14. Roby
15. O'Loughlin
16. Morley
17. Lynch

5 Leeds players
5 Saints players
5 Wire players
2 from other clubs.

Probably.

Nice to see Wire as one of the big 3 sides

Nah, only because TS is coach of Wire. Otherwise it would be one at a push.

I'm just not sure if that is what Smith wants. Briscoe [ishould[/i be in there I think but not sure if he will be

Personally I'm not disagreeing with much in those line ups except I think Gareth Hock will be a certain second row. Miles and miles ahead of Ben Westwood in my opinion.

But even though they are probably the best current options I'm thinking god that is an appalling set of backs for test level.

Nothing against the young kids Fox, Shenton, Westerman and Myler they've done great so far but (correct me if I'm wrong) they haven't got a Super League play off appearance between them and yet they are our best options for test matches. I think the play offs are real test of a young kids ability and they haven't had that mental test yet so how are they supposed to cope with the Aussies and Kiwis?

I really feel the world cup will prove to be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to us being embarrassed at test level. Because I think the in team options are average - never mind those looking to get in the squad from the outside. Pretty dire to me.

Briscoe
Fox
Gleeson
Shenton
Hall
Mcguire
Burrow
Graham
Roby
Peacock
Hock
Burgess (assuming Ellis wont be over)
O'Loughlin

Morely
Diskin
Carvell
JJB

doubt diskin will be anywhere near the team

Briscoe
Calderwood Shenton Atkins Fox
McGuire Myler
Graham Roby LMS
Hock Peacock
O'Loughlin

Newton Carvell Burgess Westerman

over hall, smith, even gardner?

well thats me

1 Briscoe
2 Hall
3 yeaman
4 Shenton
5 Fox
6 Mguire
7 Burrows
8 peacock
9 Roby
10 Carvell
11 Jamie Jones
12 Fergison
13 Westerman

Subs Graham,Burgess(sam),Myler,Atkins,

No you are right

Briscoe needs his shot at it, he has been fantastic. I know he plays for my team, but putting bias a side, I really think he would do our country proud. Heart and bravery of a lion.

Moore should play in front of him, with roby of the bench, lets see if smith the ex leeds coach picks the player who has been in the best form.

Yeah why don't we go for the tired and tested players. That has worked so well over the last few years, I am suprised they aren't all injured falling over all the trophies they have won!

I'd have Myler or Tompkins running the show personally.

Westwood has been a little off form recently for me, but it depends what you are looking for in your second row as to whether Hock or Westwood is the better player.

Hock likes the ball, but doesn't get stuck in and do the defensive work, and IMO this cost him his place in the World Cup at Westwood's expense.

Westwood averages 29 tackles a game to Hock's 17.

Hock makes 15 carries per match to Westwood's 13.

Hock makes more breaks/busts etc and offloads more, but their metres made is almost identical.

I wouldn't swap Westwood for Hock, but that is generally because I prefer my 2nd rowers to have a very good defensive work ethic, which Hock just doesn't have.

Westwood is the safer option, but with Hock you have more chance of a game-breaking piece of skill.

1. Briscoe
2. Hall
3. Shenton
4. Gleeson(i wouldn't pick him but can't of anybody else)
5. Fox
6. Tomkins
7. Myler
8. Peacock
9. Higham
10. Graham
11. Westwood
12. Adamson
13. O'loughlin

14. Morley
15. Burgess (sam)
16. Westerman
17. Roby'"