England squad for NZ series announced.

Includes 7 Wigan players:

John Bateman

Joe Burgess

Liam Farrell

Sean O’Loughlin (captain)

Matty Smith

Sam Tomkins

George Williams

I suspect it would have been more had Sarginson not been injured and Joel Tomkins wasn't having surgery.

Surprised Matty Smith is included.

Wigan have far more players than any other team included.

Expect a slow start to next season.

Probably 10 but Joel is having surgery.

Smith should be nowhere near. Guessing Widdop and Gale/Williams will be the halves.

Smith is going to get rafts of stick from the masses (including our fans after last night).

Hasn't played well enough to be considered.

Sam Tomkins is a New Zealand Warriors player

Thanks for the clarity.

I don't like Williams going at all.

He's 20 and has just played a full season. Let him rest.

Nah, we'll be ok (or at least no worse than usual). They'll just join the pre-season 3 or 4 weeks late.
Smith's inclusion, however, is baffling. Never mind last night's 'mare, I don't think he's done anything this year to merit a call up.

We've got to have at least one eye on the next WC. Big-stage experience counts for a good chunk of performance.

Williams deserves it and he'll be made up so we certainly can't stand in his way.

It's all part of his development and will do us good in the long run (although he may be a little off at the start of next year).

Going where? It's in this country so the camp won't be far away.

The experience he'll get from being surrounded by the best players in the country and possibly playing against the best NZ has to offer is invaluable.

Farrell played for GB when he was 18, Edwards when he was 19.

You can't stifle these young kids, you have to let them go out and do their thing.

Baffled at Smith's inclusion, made up for Williams and Bateman they have both had great seasons. I take it George Burgess is injured? For the first game I'd go:

1. Hardaker
2. J.Burgess
3. Bateman
4. Watkins
5. Hall
6. Tomkins
7. Widdop
8. Graham
9. Roby
10. Hill
11. Farrell
12. Westwood
13. O'Loughlin

14. T.Burgess
15. Cooper
16. Ferres
17. Hodgson

Hardaker will be in the centres. McNamara has only picked two other out-and-out centres and he would't have picked 4 other halfbacks if he planned on playing Tomkins there.

jack reed injured?

no walmsley?

He's pulled out of the squad with injury.

Yes. He had a decent game in the NRL GF, but he looked like he was falling to bits at the end of the game.

Pity.

He looked like he could hardly walk hobbling up to the stage at the man of steel awards. He obviously shouldn't have played in the semi looking at that.

I feel for him, he's been brilliant this year and plays the game in the right manner. Him and George Burgess pulling out has cancelled out them having Foran and Johnson missing IMO because their pack is beastly.

They are also missing TL, Mannering and Warea-Hargreaves, I believe.

Is the front row at the DW in the north stand row A or row AA or another letter?

I don't think there is a row A starts at B if my recollection is right AA starts after row Z

Anybody think Manfredi should be in there? I know he's not first pick till the last 3 games and has missed a lot but he's been a stand out in every game he's played. His try scoring record is quite unbelievable, and they haven't been stroll overs either. I genuinely don't think I've seen a winger as dangerous as him from 10 meters out.
It'll become more apparent next season but he's the best right winger in the comp.

Little bit biased but yes probably. However McGillvary and Briscoe are both good right wingers also.

I know it sounds like it but I really don't think I'm being biased. Everything I've said is backed up by what he's done on the pitch. I think he's much better than Briscoe and McGillvary, he was the best winger last night and the previous week.