i think i agree with sinfield on the bench....he is more than capable of filling in at 13,6 and 9...if needed...when u think about it he is the ultimate untility

Except for the fact that he's so very poor at Test level.

I can't see how he could provide any value whatsoever from the bench at Test level. Talk about non-impact.

I agree, i'd rather have Purdham on the bench. Or JJB.

No, that would be Elima, though I'll accept that he isn't English.

For France I would suggest:
Greenshields, Stacul, Raguin, Baile, Pelo, Bartheau, Bosc,
Martins, K. Bently, Guisset, Elima, Gossard, Fakir.
Replacements: Ferriol, Mounis, Duport, Casty.

This side is 100% Dragons/UTC with all players having had first-team experience in SL except for Bartheau (who played in the last international).

Hmm looking at a fair few teams here it seems like there is a lack of goal kickers in them! Unless you're wanting wellens to take them..

Burrow
Myler
Westerman
Burgess
Sinfield


All good kickers.

Gaz Ellis and O'Loughlin could have a crack, IIRC i remember both of these stepping in when their clubs had injuries?

Full back – Richie Mathers (I know you might shock that I choose him over than other full backs in Super League but why tony smith wants to have him come back to Warrington when he’s already manager for England team.. He had some experience of NRL and maybe he has some knowledge of this style passing and knowledge.)

Wing Back – Ryan Hall, Peter Fox

Centre – Ryan Atkins, Stephen Wild

Second row –Sam Burgess, Gareth Ellis

Loose Forward – Sean O’Loughlin

Half back – Paul Deacon
I would have choose Danny Brough but he have to wait until 2010! What a waste for his potential and best kicking in the Super league.

Stand off – Danny McGuire

Hooker - James Roby

Props - Jamie Peacock, James Graham

Bench
Louie McCarthy- Scarsbrook, Adrian Morley, Kevin Sinfield , Leon Pryce

Ellis was a goal kicker at junior level and at Lock Lane, kicked a few times for Wakefield's first team as well (couple of touch line kicks at Don Valley as well) so with some practice he could slot in, and I seem to remember O'loughlin kicking a few times too, so it's not like there's a shortage of kickers, it's just they aren't exactly the 90% kicker we would need unfortunately.

Richie Mathers played something like 6 NRL games!





The thing I am amazed by with all of your teams.

England was an atrocious embarrassment in the world cup....and yet you are all picking the same players with the same problems!

What would your England Squad be, just out of interest....

Mine would be...
1. Briscoe/Smith
2. Hall
3. Gleeson
4. Pryce
5. Fox
6. McGuire
7. Burrow (C)
8. Graham
9. Diskin
10. Morley
11. Ellis
12. Peacock
13. Sinfield

14. Burgess
15. Lynch
16. Yeaman
17. Crabtree

Leon Pryce, Danny McGuire, Keith Senior, Ade Gardner, Paul Wellens, Rob Burrow, Martin Gleeson, Kevin Sinfield should not be anywhere near an England shirt.

I would take a chance and go with:

Shaun Briscoe
Ryan Hall
Michael Shenton
Ryan Atkins
Peter Fox
Sam Tomkins
Kyle Eastmond
Adrian Morley
James Roby
Jamie Peacock
Gareth Ellis
Sam Burgess
Sean O'loughlin

--------------------------------------
James Graham
Scott Moore
Jon Wilkin/Joe Westerman
Andy Lynch


Eorl Crabtree would be another decent shout but Andy Lynch has been overlooked too many times IMO.

andy lynch has ruled himself out...he's going on holiday with the missus or something

Seriously?

Bummer. Well Eorl Crabtree has been playing very well for me for Huddersfield. Gareth Carvell has been great playing along with Adrian Morley at Warrington.

Have you all forgotten about Stephen Wild? His form has been fantastic this season. Make a few of nice tries and play out of his normal position which is second row to centre. I rate him as one of best centre in the super league at the current..

I don’t think so the selection should pick players who hasn’t been play in the international level or a big game like grand final. It’s too risky and they might can’t cope the pressure of the high level like NRL players does know how to deal the huge pressure and high expectation when they play in the state of origin series. We English players don’t have like that the standard of rugby game so i think we have to be careful with the selection who’s right players for the four nations tournament.

I know some of you rather not to pick Leon Pryce and Kevin Sinfield after their performance in the world cup has been poorly and terrible! To be honest you need to see their form and statistics after the world cup. We can’t argue with that. I think they’ve learned from their mistake and make a good bounce back. They are still one of best players in the super league and that’s why I would consider picking them in the bench because they can play several different positions and been play a such many big games in the grand final and etc.

Don’t you agree with me?

Based on recent form :


Briscoe
Fox
Gleeson
Atkins
Hall
Tomkins
Brough ( is he allowed yet ?)
Peacock
Roby
Morley
Ellis
Burgess
O'loughlin

Lynch
Godwin
Graham
Wild

You know to be honest, at this stage, I dont care enough about it to throw together a side that would just lose anyway.

Thing is, I'd pick different players, not the same old losers.

That team would get slaughtered I'm afraid

Sam Tomkins and Kyle Eastmond are not ready to be Englands first choice halfback partnership

Briscoe
Fox
Shenton
Pryce
Hall
Tomkins
Burrow
Peacock
Moore
Graham
Wild
Ellis
O'Loughlin

Roby
Morley
Crabtree
Burgess

Why would anyone that has ever seen a game even think of chosing Rob Burrow?

Reading back through this thread, and looking at the teams people would have (including my own) it just makes me think how terrible the national side is at the moment. It's probably the worst I have seen since I started watching rugby properly in 2002. The likes of Briscoe, O'Loughlin, Moore etc are never going to compete with the Aussies. There is barely any players who would be able to compete with them. At least 4 or 5 years ago I felt confident we could give them a game but I cant see us winning except against France and if NZ bring a second string again. The RFL must be praying that the new systems they are putting in place work because it seems like last chance saloon to me because it wont be long until we are over taken by the south sea islanders

It's interesting to note that for the 2004 Tri-Nations series, the Australian backline was, to my recollection, like this:

1. Anthony Minichiello
2. Luke Rooney
3. Willie Tonga
4. Shaun Berrigan
5. Matt Sing
6. Darren Lockyer
7. Brett Kimmorley

In comparison to what we could field this year, that is a rather poor backline. This may be a factor in your observations and perspective of GB/England chances against us over this period. Of course, that backline did play in that sublime, 38-0, first half performance in the Final. But it's something to consider nonetheless.

What makes you think Myler's ready? I haven't seen anything to prove that he is, he would be ran at all day by the Aussies and go down his side all the time. Sam on the other hand would look after himself as his tackling technique is superb and IMO is more of a threat in open play than Myler. Myler's probably the better organiser but for me Sam has the all round better game and IMO is much more prepared than any of the top 3 young half backs for the International stage.

It's to remind any Austin Powers fans in the crowd how good 'The spy who shagged me' was

FB: Sean Briscoe
LW: Ryan Hall
LC: Ryan Atkins
RC: Martin Gleeson
RW: Peter Fox
SO: Danny McGuire
SH: Richie Myler/Rob Burrow
P: Adrian Morley
HK: Scott Moore
P: Jamie Peacock
SR: Gareth Ellis
SR: Sean O'Loughlin
LF: Sam Burgess

SUB: James Roby
SUB: James Graham
SUB: Ben Westwood
SUB: Eorl Crabtree

18th Man: Steve Wild

God, England have nothing to look forward to in the 4 nations. Especially if we have Moore as 1st choice hooker and McGuire and Burrow in the halves.