Maybe a bit early for Joel, but he does add size and speed to the backrow. Plus I'm surprised at how well he's gone since coming back. Still feel there's more to come but he's not looked out of place in the last few matches at all.

Lunt has been poor this season. Carried injuries most of the time

Too many overrated Wigan players in the squad for me.

Now I know their comedy fans believe anyone who pulls on their shirt immediately becomes world class, but England will defo now take a hiding Down Under.

And how is Roby not going to be playing when he's going to playing for St Helens in the GF? He's a genuine world class player that we will miss.

Where is gaz hock

Where is gaz hock

To be fair, with Lomax (who may well have made the squad if he'd have not missed so much) and Walsh injured, a lot of Saints victories have come from grinding out wins in the middle. This is England's strongest area and whilst we've had some very good forward performers, some haven't played all that many games (Amor) and some have been inconsistent (Walmsley and LMS). All three of those mentioned should be firmly focussed on getting themselves into the international squad for next year.

Disappointed for Makinson. Whilst Burgess probably has him on natural talent, Tommy's made the most of his and the job he did on Carney the other week should have shown he was ready for the big time.

FIngers crossed this will spur the Saints lads on in the GF next week.

But only converted 66.3%. On stats Matty Smith is better

The thing about Clark is that he isn't a starting hooker. Whenever he starts he falls flat within 10 mins - but bring him on after 20 mins and he runs riot.

I don't think Clark or anybody else will run riot against Australia.

In any event, I'd want the hooker to play 80 minutes if at all possible - or get one of the other forwards to make do - rather than waste a bench spot on an out-and-out second hooker.

The squad looks weak in the backrow and a real question mark at hooker. What a difference Sam Burgess would hav emade to the pack.

All ifs n buts

But if we had SBurgess and if Hock wasn't a lunatic we'd have an amazing pack

Graham - Roby - GBurgess
Hock - S Burgess
SO'L

Whitehead
Ferres
Hill
TBurgess

Hodgson has by far outshone Danny Houghton this season and a few Hull fans have been very disappointed in him this season.. As for Lunt, I don't watch the giants enough to form an opinion on him. One thing for sure is that Hodgson can play for 80 minutes and often did for Hull KR this year.

I think although he is a good player that without the injuries Hodgson would not have made the squad...

I think your point about not having an out-and-out second hooker on the bench is likely why Hodgson has been selected. This season he has played the 80 in most games - He has a good engine and is quite big for a hooker which allows him to be alternated with the back row, which he has done to quite good effect. This means you are kind of getting a bit of utility from your bench spot. It also kind of links with your comment about a lack of depth in the second row as well.

Do we know which broadcasters are covering the tournament?

Looking at who is missing from the Aus squad, i'd say the Disney Channel.

It's an interesting squad.

Would Widdop and Smith play alongside each other?

There seem to be a lot of fullbacks in that squad. Were as other positions seem a bit light.

There's a lot of backs in that squad that can play in more than one position which could well prove vital. I actually think the squad looks quite balanced.

BBC.
Premier Sports.

[urlhttp://www.rugbyleagueplanet.com/rugby-league-four-tri-nations[/url

Not seen much of him obviously.

He has been as good as any this season, but does not play for atop 4 side. He can play hooker as well as back row and often plays the full 80 minutes. Ideal for the bench at least.

England v Australia kicks off 5am Sunday Morning

waste my sunday morning sleep in on england getting thrashed?

No thanks. Sleep in, confirm they've been beaten on BBC sport and save myself 2 hours.

Samoan squad should give England a good game. L Ah Mau (St George Illawarra), D Fa'alogo (Newcastle), P Godinet (Wakefield), T Lafai (Canterbury Bulldogs), J Leilua (Newcastle), I Liu (Sydney Roosters), D Lui (Manly), P Manumalealii (Cronulla), M Masoe (St Helens), S Matagi, P Mata'utia (St George Illawarra), R Maitua (Canterbury Bulldogs), T Moga (North Queensland Cowboys), D Peyroux, F Pritchard (Canterbury Bulldogs), B Roberts (Melbourne), T Simona (Wests Tigers), M Sio, K Stanley (St George Illawarra), S Sue (Wests Tigers), S Tagataese (Cronulla), D Vidot (Brisbane), A Winterstein (North Queensland Cowboys).

Cracking player Hodgson and it's good to see him getting his chance. Think Lunt has fell back down the pecking order and could do with a change of club or coach. Houghton initially reminded me a bit of Martin Dermott in his younger days but hasn't really kicked on. Again it might be a coaching/club thing but Hodgson for me is the better fit.

Samoa is a danger game for England, you will have a short preparation of 10 days flying one side of the world to the other and playing a big test match against a massive team.

I'm delighted Sean O'Loughlin is captain. A terrific player and leader

England's chances increase ever so slightly with Thurston being ruled out for Aus.