Carvell over Woody?

I'd be gutted if I was Woody.

Delighted for Riley, his mum would be made up for him.

Paul Wood should be in ahead of Gaz Carvell, can't see Macca's reasoning on this.

Myler has been rested to stop him being targeted by the best in Super League, what the hell will the Aussies and Kiwi's do to him, not to mention the big hitting PNG lads inspired by 34 year old Stanley Gene.

One last note, remember Jimmy is assistant coach so he must have had a say in the selections. Unless Coach Brian Smith really is running the show.

Pleased for any player from any club who gets the honour of representing their country so well done to all.

So people keep saying....

Smith said he rested him for the semi because Catalans had targeted him two weeks previously. I don't know if that is the reason he didn't pick him for Huddersfield (or why he was left out initially for the St Helens game). He did have a knock after the Sts game.

I'm still in shock that Sykes is in there

Our best England team, IMO, would be...

1. Garreth Widdop
2. Ryan Hall
3. Ryan Atkins
4. ?
5. Tom Briscoe
6. Sam Tomkins
7. Kyle Eastmond
8. Adrian Morley
9. Kevin Sinfield
10. James Graham
11. Garreth Ellis
12. Ben Westwood
13. Sean O'Loughlin

Sam Burgess
Joel Tomkins
James Roby
?

Id' of left out Garreth Widdop and put Tomkins at full back if McGuire hadn't of become injuired, because I think Tomkins has been brilliant at full back this season and McGuire has been fantastic, however, I've drifted in Widdop and moved Tomkins to 6. I've also started with Kevin Sinfield at hooker, everytime I've seen him at hooker this year he has been fantastic, and you cannot leave out Sean O'Loughlin, he's been brilliant all year, also I think you need Sinfield on the field for his immpeccale goal kicking, because lets face it Jonathan Thurston won't be missing many, and also his leadership, yes Morley brings that but he won't be on the field all game, also I think James Roby is a great impact hooker and would prove more benfical coming on from the bench. I think Ben Westwood has to start, he offers everything; tackles, carriers, workrate and not afraid to put his body on the line, for me he has to play the full eighty. We will also benefit with a player of Burgess' calibre coming off the bench, alternating with Morley/Graham at Prop, with young Tomkins interchanging with Ellis. Tomkins has to learn to keep his disclipine, however.

I've left out centre and another interchange, centre is obviously a pick out of Shenton, Senior or Gleeson, now that Bridge has ruled himself out, or he'd be in their for me. The final bench spot, I have no idea. Thoughts?

4th interchange? Ben Harrison?

Keith senior will never get picked by McNamara, neither would Pryce if fit. Something about not having the right personalities for the group, I thought we were going over to win it not just have a happy camp.

I couldn't give two hoots if all the squad hated each other as long as we win.

I also think Widdop may play at stand off, he played rep footy there early this year and that's where Melbourne will play him next year. That will allow Tomkins to stay at full back.

Interesting one. If we were to include Ben Harrison, I think I'd be taking Joel Tomkins out as we don't really need 3 second rowers on the bench, and also Ben is bigger and more muscular so would be more benefical when playing against the big Aussie and Kiwi packs and the likes of Ashley Harrison, Petero and Thaiday etc. It would also tighten our disclipine up. Who would your centre be? And don't you think we might need a back in there for when things aren't going to plan? Maybe a Leon Pryce or a Rob Burrow just to add something different into the game? Or maybe even switch Eastmond to centre, he's played their before.

Harrison as interchange prop....

Shenton as centre, I suppose.... It's a shocking state of affairs.

I've not seen enough of Widdop to comment on him. I'd also have gone Tomkins at fb and Maguire at 6. Is Eastmond going to be fit?

Eastmond should be okay, I'd imagen. McGuire and Peacock are certainly out. However, I heard that Ellis could miss the Four Nations due to a reoccuring spine problem. Big blow, if truen, IMO.

Tomkins is more than physical enough to compete with the aussies, his temperament is the only worry but I think his skill and defence more than makes up for it.

I'd have to say Fielden as the interchange prop, he's looked a lot like his old self this season and deserves to be there.

Yeah maybe I'm under-esstimating Tomkins' strengths, I do think Tomkins has been outstandind and is a superb prospect for the future. I'd include Tomkins as said but leave out Harrison, I have no doubt he will play for England in the near future, as he too is a great prospect. At the moment, I'd have Tomkins over Harrison.

It would be unfair of me to comment on Fielden, as I've only seen glimpes off him this year, I wonder if he's had a better year than Paul Wood, who's had a brilliant year yet fails to make the train on squad. Decisions, decisions.

Fieldens been our best prop, and without wanting to start a "who's team is better" arguement, him and Coley have been our only two decent props this year, and we've topped the league.

The last few months as well he's starting playing even better, the only times he's looked out of sorts was when he's been our only senior prop and been massively targeted (against your lot for example).

I'm looking forward to seeing him next year when he should have a stronger pack around him, meaning he has to carry the front row less. He's a stronger player with a stronger pack around him.

Each time I've seen Coley this year he's impressed me, great yardage. Fielden will become a better player next year working with Jeff Lina and Ryan Hoffman that's for sure. I understand what you are saying though regarding Fielden, him and Coley have carried you forward this year and you have finished top of the league, so he's probably had a great season as you say. Who would you play at centre? Assuming Atkins takes one centre stop, which IMO he will and deserves.

It would have been Bridge, but apart from that, I'd say Gleeson. You only have to look how many tries Goulding has outside of him, when personally I think Goulding is a distinctly average player.

He's also solid defensively, and has experience in playing the aussies.

Apart from that i'd go Shenton maybe, but I wouldn't feel as safe defensively as I would with Gleeson.

Shenton is incredibily lightweight and doesn't offer alot in defence. So therefore it would be Gleeson, for me, although alot won't agree with me on that one on here!

Wouldnt imagine they would! lol.

In all seriousness though, apart from the change in management which has obviously played a big part, the only signings that we've made have been Gleeson and Deacon, and Gleesons played a big part in turning us from a mid table side to a top of the league side. His defence alone plugged a gaping hole in our defence, and anyone who's played outside of him has scored tries.

No Clarke? What gives?

not played enough.

11 games.

no he not good enough? dont get me wrong he has been great since his comeback, but is not good enough to go against the aussies and kiwis. sinfield and roby much better at hooker.

Clarke was woeful on Saturday. I'd say he was chasing shaddows but he wasn't even doing that!

Higham has not played many since returning from injury.

I can only conclude that he is not thought worthy of a place.

Higham being in absolutely baffles me. Surely no one can think he is remotely good enough.

Personally I like Higham and I think his interchange last Saturday improved our performance.

Try watching clarke week after week, season after season, your opinion of higham will soon change.