Yes Westwood is a kicker but with the strength in the second row is unlikely to be on the filed for the full game and i cannot see another kicker except maybe Cudjoe but he again is unlikely to start.

Not sure who you are thinking of but is is not Robinson.

Just looked it up, it was Richard Horne I was thinking of. Apologies to Robinson.

Luke has played most of the season at 9 and done so very effectively. I do not think there are many better English 9s. Given that the other hookers in the squad - Roby and Lunt - play in a similar style and our strength lies in our pack I think Robbo will have a fair crack at 9.

No Sinfield? Westwood won't always be on the pitch so we may go short for goal kicking.

I'd go with Tomkins FB, still learning the role but offers so much in attack. Really struggling in the backs so we need some spark.

Fielden's been Wigan's best prop by a distance this year and the best prop on the field in most games. He should definitely be in the team.

Also Gleeson should have been in but all in all pretty good squad from the players available. Not holding out much hope though.

It seems obvious to me that McNamara will play Tompkins and Brown together in the halves (as he did against the French) – which leaves Widdop at full back

From that squad, I would go with

Widdop
Briscoe
Shenton
Atkins
Hall

Brown
Tomkins

Graham
Roby
Morley
Ellis
Westwood
O’louhghlin

Burgess
Lunt
Harrison/Tomkins
Crabtree

Unlike most, I think that Briscoe and Hall have the physical game to counter the Aussies/Kiwi’s. Centre is a worry but at least Atkins is physically pretty capable

It will definitely be a tournament where a lot of the squad get a game – with (hopefully) four internationals played over four weekends... I don’t see too many weak links in the squad

I can’t wait now... bring on a month of international rugby league

Where has Gareth Widdop been playing this year ? Could only find 3 apps for Storm 1st grade, has he been playing for a feeder club somewhere ??

I can't look. I get off at watching car crashes but this tour is one step too far for me.

i would'nt mind tony clubb getting a run out....if he was with a northern club i reckon he'd be a regular international...



and widdop has been playing for the melbourne storm reserve grade side in the NSW CUP

What bothers me is that the squad's about the best we can manage with the possible exception of Sinfield's omission, although he might have been left out because McNamara realises that Antipodean refs won't tolerate the way he mouths off all the time.

or its cos he's injured......maybe

Sinfield has an achilles injury. Just spoke to someone who was at the press conference, and they made a point of saying Sinfield would have been in the squad if fit...

I like how people moan about players who they dont think are good enough, yet we are taking a player from the Nrl who has played 3 games this season all in different positions now that people is the biggest joke!

Are Lynch and Scrutton not available? They are the best props in SL behind Graham and Morley.

I would go with:

1. Widdop
2. Goulding
3. Shenton
4. Atkins
5. Briscoe
6. S. Tomkins
7. Brown
8. Graham
9. Roby
10. Morley
11. Burgess
12. Ellis
13. O'Loughlin

14. Lunt
15. Fielden
16. Crabtree
17. J. Tomkins

Id go:

Cudjoe
Goulding
Briscoe
Atkins
Hall
Brown
Tomkins
Morley
Lunt
Graham
Ellis
Burgess
O'Loughlin

Roby
Westwood
Crabtree
Griffin

He's an incumbent Test player, isn't he? From all reports, he was decent enough in his debut.

If he didn't have the best fullback in the world in front of him at club level, he would've played a lot more first-grade games by now.

Could we not go with Sam Tomkins at fullback and then 12 forwards?

No Paul Sykes in the squad?

Jon Sharp's prediction of Robinson and Brown as a future England half-back pairing comes true.

Hahaha

The thing is, Melb see him as a stand off. He lacks experience so is a big risk.

Regards props, Ideally I'd want tomkins and westwood in there with Burgess prop at the expense of Crabtree/Fielden

Regarding Widdop I only have 1 name to say... Kris Inu.