So really its the process of picking a captain to build a team round that is the problem at national level .

Surely picking the best 17 for any given game and then choosing the skipper is the best way forward .

Yes it is! By naming sinfield captain early on macnamara put himself in a position where he couldn't leave him out bar injury.

I don't think that is the case Jools, it is pretty well established that the dynamics between players within any team are important, ie teamwork. The best team may not include all the best players available, simply because some do not compliment each other.

I think MacNamara has made poor choices and made things more difficult for England, but if he is successful he is vindicated. There are different methods to achieve success, if his method works he is proved right. So what level of success vindicates him, does he have to win the world cup or is making the final enough?

I believe if England reach the final he will have achieved enough to justify his decisions, I will still disagree with them but would have to concede that his strategy was a valid one.

think reaching the final would be a success.. anything could happen though if we reach the final!

I did say that it may not always be the case that best players is best -As I also said I don't think that's the case in this instance.
If we reach the final we are stuck for some time with a coach that some of the players have already demonstrated they have little respect for- and the fans aren't happy with. rock and a hard place!

Jools, I agree