Birdge & Fox is something new, not sure if it'll work, but Smith definitely had to be out after last week.


At least Tony Smith is changing the team around and keeping it fresh. Either that or he just puts names in a hat

Tony Smith said this was re-build time for England.

He brings in young players and tests them under international pressure (a bit different to playing for a club they are familiar with or the training ground).

He tries different combinations and makes adjustments.

He plays some players that are unpopular with "keyboard warrior coaches" but replaces them when they don't perform.

Some fans are never (and will never) be satisfied.

Oh my god. Sinfield was only as effective as he was at hooker becuase he was running against tiring forwards. It makes sense to start Roby and use Sinfield there a bit later.

Then you have a straight choice start with Wilkin and have one of the best players in Superleague sat on the bench or have Sinfield on the pitch to orchestrate the kicking game and kick goals, then move him as and when. It's not hard.

Sinfield was more effective at hooker due to his passing choices and execution

Wilkin's main problem is lack of real pace - Sinfield has the same problem but he has a lot more skill and variety in his game than Wilkin.

Wilkin looked a good player in a dominant side - but like most of the Saints players he hasn't looked anything special this season

Those that say Australia could field three international teams to our one are talking out of their backsides……..














…………. clearly England can’t muster one international strength team!

Good side IMO.

Hope Bridge plays well and silences his critics. People whinge that only the same old big names get picked, then when a form centre gets included he is bagged for it.

I actually think Bridge is an excellent centre and I think he will be clearly the best British centre next season if he avoids injury. Very talented ball in hand, a strong defender, and a tough lad with it. Looking forward to him getting his chance.

Bridge has always had the potential to be great. Problem is he has also seemingly got/had an attitude issue.

He does however appeared to have matured this year under Smith and since Gleeson left he really made the no3 shirt his own and importantly has been injury free too.

I wouldn't say world class by any means, but certainly the best right centre in the England squad and well well worth a shot after Lee Smith's non-effort last week.

Partly. However mainly he was getting out of dummy half very quickly against a tired retreating Oz defence.

And that is what Roby excels at. Which is why he should have been doing it. Instead of having one of the best impact hookers in the game scooting from dummy half against a tiring defence we had a loose forward out of position doing it.

I'd have some sympathy for that viewpoint, were it not for the fact that when Roby returned to dummy half while Sinfield was off the field or playing at 6 for the final 15 minutes he did nothing of the sort.

I wouldn't expect him to be as effective returning to the pitch after a short break as he is coming on fresh.

Agree.

I like him, good player.

He certainly knows where the white line is.

Tell me you didnt just stumble on that one..brilliant..

happy with the squad.. tony smith has done right to make the changes after smith and maguire performances last week .. also dropped moore for poor performance v france... seems like no longer you keep your place if your not playing well

Should have been playing for Ireland. Traitor

www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/no ... ur-nations At least Smith has now admitted his club bias. Do players of other clubs get chance to have a 1on1 with the international coach to express their intentions to him?

www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/no ... ur-nations At least Smith has now admitted his club bias. Do players of other clubs get chance to have a 1on1 with the international coach to express their intentions to him?

I would hope so, surely that was part of the point of having a full time coach for England...oh, wait.

keith senior just spoke to the media, does he not have tony smiths number anymore?

His defence is outstanding, especially against Catalans - the way he chased the Dragon is not to be sniffed at.

Getting a bit desperate with that one.
Stick to your original line

It seems Mr Smith also agreed with Sinfield starting at hooker and Roby on the bench.

You are Tony Smith and i am Steve McNam


no i cannot bring myself to say it.

When you say it like that it doesn't sound so good. Quite frightening in fact.