Bit h here, Graham does what he is best at, taking the ball up and making metres. If you want someone to look aggressive and go in with big hits but doesn,t make any yardage for the team, then Ryan Bailey is your man.

Whilst I do agree, i however feel we shouldn't be in the position of only working the squad out as the tournament starts - could you see the England football team being a series of arguements and quizical selections in the run up and the start of a World cup or European championship? It's the same with the Australian NRL team, it may be a lot of changes since 2005, but the core of the team wasn't just put together last week.

I wouldn't be using the English soccer team as a blueprint for success!




The difference between Australia, New Zealand and England is that two of these countries have very good, winning teams. One doesn't and needed to make changes.


Having said that, the way England played last night, especially their back line, I was shocked at how they looked as though they had not met before running onto the field.

Getting in each others way, over running the ball, being out of position, what the hell do they do at training?

The current England football team is finally realising it's potential though and is producing some good young players. Whether we win something I don't know, but at least the nation is behind it and the team is giving it a good go. The RL team isn't.

The current England football team is actually doing really well, great set of players, great manager and actually look like a team when they play. Of course it remains to be seen if they'll turn that into a trophy, but they finally look like a cohesive unit with tactics.

And the reason the backs looked like that is because basically that's what happened. The team especially the backs was just recently thrown together, which is totally ridiculous for an International sporting team.

Even if we don't have as good players, there's nothing to stop us being a decent team if coached properly and enough preparation is done. Hell we don't even have an origin series so for most of these players the International games are the only time they play with players outside their own club team - and we play a handfull of those a year, it's ridiculous.

First half 4/10
Second half 5/10

Everything else is just propaganda.

Apart for the comparisons in scoreline of course.

I agree. He had a very good game when he came on.

You mean they train?

Remind me what they won in 2005 again?

You are reading from the World Cup lead in script!

I think the BBC have it as 11,000 at the match, which is excellent for an international on a Friday night - how many French fans will have flown up for the match?