Herbie Farnworth in for me
Welsby full back for me, can't have him on the bench
Ackers definitely in for me too with Leeming also
Lees? not sure tbh
Watkins 2nd row to replace Farrell and Bateman in

I did see an advert on TV for the RLWC the other day, and seem to get sponsored ads on social media for it, so they are trying. The clubs should be promoting games at their grounds more though I feel

Your line-up has good balance. It's a brave choice looking front row with the two young props. Not sure if either are ready for this level yet but we won't know that if they're not given the chance. I think Tom Burgess is our senior prop right now and will likely be a starter.

I personally like Percival as a player but he's had chances before at the top level and let himself down. I'd prefer Hardaker in there. I also think Bateman must be in. It's a good line-up you chose though.

Watkins cannot play Centre - he has to play in the back row if picked.

Ackers, Leeming and Clark as the hookers for me. Batchelor has to be a shoe in for the back row.

Bateman named in the Knights squad to try and knock some games off his ban.

Which again highlights the farcical rules.

In no way devaluing a Knights call-up or undermining the integrity of the disciplinary process.

I thought Young had pledged for Jamaica? Only reason I left him out.

Odd choice as Farrell is better than Bateman in almost all areas of the game IMO.

Also thought Farnworth would be out injured but seems he's not far off a return.

Sorry mate, I thought Farrell was out injured for the rest of this season.

Farnworth, probably a starter if fit and on form bur he'll be going in cold after a good few months injured.

Welsby can over all the backline and allow us another playmaker, Australia favour this approach too although they may change with the loss if Cam Smith who could always play the 80. Wouldn't argue with another hooker there instead but in that case I too would be inclined to move Welsby to 1, he will be an important player for us wherever he is on the pitch.

Second hooker spot is open, our depth here is terrible frankly. Ackers in the best form but Leeming probably next in line. McShane not good enough for me.

Lees starts primarily for his line-leading defence, bench props providing more impact later.

Watkins' game is the same down that edge, I wouldn't be too concerned about moving him out a touch. We are strongest at back row and this allows us to get more of our best players on the pitch, he's been a revelation this season.



I've got no problems with either of the starting props and it allows Thompson and especially Burgess to perform the interchange roles they have been doing all season (when fit in Thompsons case).

Percival has been in and out of the international side with no good run to speak of. Played briefly before and after the last World Cup IIRC. Another who's coming in fairly cold but form and availability of others makes him a must pick for me. Hardaker is a good option to have granted, I wouldn't have any issues if he was in the 24 due to his versatility.



His coach at Newcastle let slip a couple of weeks back that he had been selected for England, I've seen nothing more than that either but he would have to go straight in on form.

Looking at the Samoa team, England really could get beaten when they play.

Have y'all forgot about Victor Radley? There is no way he has given up the chance to play Origin without being a starter for England.

If his fit his in the 13.

Radley has already been named.

That first game is crucial for England, win and its easy til the Semis. Lose and its a nervy game with France and then likely a difficult Quarter final against Tonga.

Samoa have a bizarre lineup of assistants too. Agar, Radford, Frank Pritchard its like an ExFC get together!

Got an email today saying Australia v Fiji at Headingley is nearly sold out, hope this bodes well for ticket sales for the rest of the tournament!

Absolutely, Wane has already said we are massive underdogs for that game. I haven't seen the full Samoa squad as yet but know a number of players who have made themselves available and that is enough to get me worried.

You assume they are just huge in the forwards but now they are also stacked in the 3/4ers with almost the entire Panthers backline.

Can see them handing us a defeat without too much bother.

If Wane is predicting we're massive underdogs v Samoa (no offence to them) then he cant hold many aspirations or hopes for us to win it.

Agar on the coaching staff might work in our favour

Anyone know who plays where in the semi-finals? The RLWC2021 website shows both semis as Winner of QF2 v Winner of QF4! One at Elland Road and one at Emirates.

The ticket site seems to have the correct ones:

SF1 in Leeds - QF1 vs. QF3 winners
SF2 in London - QF2 vs. QF4 winners

Welsby
Dom Young
Newman (if fit)
Percival
Makinson
Lomax
Williams
Lees
Clark
Burgess
Farrell
Knowles
Radley

Thompson
Batchelor
McShane
Sutton

Not far off what I thought of yesterday - though Farnworth would be in the centres for me

Apparently they've still got 17,000 tickets left to shift for St James' park, a bit disappointing given how strong the Samoa team will be