I'd choose O'Loughlin for now. Cracking LF and a couple of years younger than Sinfield. If Sinfield were 2 or 3 years younger I'd pick him, confident that he's just in a patch of bad form, but he's nearly 32 and currently not playing well enough to be picked. I'd tell Brough and Lomax that (barring injury) they'll be the halves for the World Cup with O'Loughlin as Captain, Roby as hooker & Tomkins at full back, and use the remaining year and a bit to get the team playing in 1 style. So everybody knows what they're doing, and anyone who has to come into the squad just slots in to the existing setup.
As much as I think Ellis, Graham & Burgess are cracking players, I don't particularly see them as captains, there is a lot more to the role of captain than just what happens on the pitch and I'd rather not run the risk of adversely affecting their game by loading them with the captains responsibility when O'Loughlin seems to shoulder that burden so well at Wigan.

In my opinion the World Cup squad should be:
1. Tomkins
2. Charnley
3. Watkins
4. Atkins
5. Hall
6. Brough
7. Lomax
8. Mossop
9. Roby
10. Graham
11. Ellis
12. Westwood
13. O'Loughlin (C)

14. Burrow
15. Crabtree
16. LMS/Carvell
17. Hock

I know that's leaving out Widdop and Reed but whilst I think they're both good players, and could maybe be in the larger squad as backup, I think it's important for the halves to use the opportunity of the mid-season camps and games to play together and for the team to get used to a system.

looks like it will be roby for the exiles game judging by the squad picked. no sinfield, o'loughlian, tomkins and obviously burgess, graham and ellis!

I agree with most of that apart from Tomkins is a shoe in for selection at the moment. He's got to improve under the high ball but he's the best full back we have by a mile at this point.

Got to be an experienced skipper who will be around for a while and can get to all the training weekends, this rules out Graham. Sinfield IMO does not warrant a place in the 13. I would have O'Loughlin as skipper.

If McNamara had any sense, he'd realise Roby has been the 2nd best hooker this year in SL to McIllorum, and that should rule him out for being captain.

He'll give it to Graham, and I'd agree with that, but wouldn't be surprised if Lockers gets it.

McIllorum isnt better than Roby, he just isnt, he isnt even close. It's a big big gap from Roby to McIllorum.

I agree. Overall Roby is a better player. McIlorum would have to play at this level for 5-6 years before coming close to Roby. But, McIlorum is the form hooker in super league at the moment.

I can accept that.

Though i always think it is hard to say who 'the form player' is in any position as most fans only see one set of players week in, week out. The other set change.

The fact that whenever he's been fit, he's started at LF. The reason he has fewer caps is injuries. I can't remember when he has been left out of the squad at the coaches discretion.

No Burgess? Leaving out the number 6 from the current best team in the world? Leaving out one of the form centres in the NRL? You must be mad.

Tomkins
Charnley
Reed
Atkins
Hall
Widdop/Lomax
Brough
Burgess
McIlorum
Mossop
Ellis
Westwood
Lockers

Roby - IMPACT
Hock - IMPACT
Graham - IMPACT
Crabtree - IMPACT

That is a fantastic side IMO. With enough time together I think we could make the final against Aus and have a real go at them. I would just hate to see us crash out at the SF stage.

Just stay well clear of players who have been tried and failed at international level like Sinfield especially! I just can't see our coach picking a team like that though!

Sinfield is the 6 for the best team in the World! Only Leeds can officially claim to be the best club side in the world!!

Roby is world class and has been for 5 years, Mclllorum is just a form player over this season. Roby to be vice captain for me.

Tomkins
Charnley Goulding Reed Hall
Widdop Brough
Graham Mcllorum Mossop
Ellis Westwood
Burgess

Roby, Hock, Crabtree, O'loughlian

Ive changed my mind over the captaincy now, and would give it to Ellis!!

Jon Wilkin

I don't think a captain should be named. The England team should be picked on current form and ability. If you select a captain he is guaranteed selection which IMO should not be the case.

I would select a leadership group of 5 players who are likely to be around the squad and select the captain on a game by game basis. If one or more of the group need to be dropped due to poor form then others are ready to step in.

Something like

Graham
O'loughlin
Roby
Ellis
Tomkins

Lockers should be the captain but I think it may be roby/tomkins.

And my line up for the world cup would be

1. Sam Tomkins
2. Josh Charnley
3. Jack Reed
4. Kallum Watkins
5. Ryan Hall
6. Gareth Widdop
7. Danny Brough
8. James Graham
9. James Roby
10. Sam Burgess
11. Gareth Hock
12. Gareth Ellis
13. Sean O'Loughlin (C)

14. Lee Mossop
15. Luke Burgess
16. Ben Westwood
17. Mike McIlorum

Hw does it rule Graham out? He's 26, with experience at every level of the game. He's seems the obvious candidate.

Agree with the back line.

In the pack I'd go for:

Graham
Roby
Mossop
Ellis
Westwood
Burgess

Bench:

Burrow
Hock
Luke Burgess
Crabtree

A full strength England pack is mouthwatering

Cos he can't be here for any mid season games? Or the training camps?

i like the idea of the leadership team which builds a greater sense of a team with several leaders as admittedly o'loughlin while a solid captain, he is sometimes too quiet.
edit- with o'loughlin assigned captaincy for whenever the captain is called upon.

I forgot about Burgess, I'd have him on the bench in place of LMS/Carvell.
I said why I'd leave out Widdop, we need our halves to play together and everyone in the squad to know what they're doing. The mid-season camps and games aren't very effective if your halves aren't playing in it.
I'd have Widdop in the squad as a useful backup for 6,7 & 1.
I'm sure Reed is a good player, but I saw nothing to label him far and away better than Watkins or Atkins, who would both have the benefit of the mid-season camps & games. Again, I'd have him in the squad as backup.
I also don't think Roby offers impact off the bench anymore. He did a few years ago when spelling Cunningham, now he's developed his game to be the best hooker in the country. I'd start with him, with Burrow off the bench to add the impact. Again McIlorum or Houghton in the squad as backup.

Reed has the confidence to really take it to the aussies. Remember his try at Wembley? He got us a try out of nothing, he had the confidence to go for it and execute the play. Reed must be in IMO.

Maybe you are right about Widdop but only time will tell.

Burgess can't be on the bench, he is one of our few world class players.

Eh? From what I remember he caught the ball off a Sinfield kick and ran to the line unopposed. Like I say, he's a good player but I don't think there's THAT much difference between him & Watkins or Atkins.

As for Burgess, he provides impact off the bench, whether a prop starts or is on the bench has little to do with ability and more when in the game you want them.

Will Reed still be playing centre for much longer? I have a feeling he'll end up in the back row at Brisbane.