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.

It did, but its still just scooting. He does it well mind, but thats not enough of a skill set imo to get anywhere near international level.

I also think the only reason he improved your performance is because you didn't have Monas at 9, I think you would have dropped in intensity if he'd been replaced my Higham.

I had to watch Higham week after week. That was enough thanks! lol.

It's only a train-on squad I so still up in the air but, much as I like him, Higham isn't international class. I know. He knows it. I suspect even Steve McNamara knows it. It'll take a mass poisoning for him to make the squad, let alone team.

He has picked Paul Sykes, poisoning or otherwise.

he won't get beyond cumbria

For the avoidance of doubt I am not advocating him for international honours. I just believe that the selectors do not have Clarke anywhere near in mind for the internationals and the argument that he has not played enough as the reason for his omission does not hold water. He is just not good enough.

If we must insist on accomodating Clarke, and it appears we must, we should now learn that it should not be at the expense of moving Monagham from #9.

like said before monas at 9 and then let clarke and higham fight it out on form, training or what opposition for the bench spot