The squad needed a warm-up game IMO. The last time England played was the WCSF and since then new players have come into the system, we had a new half-back combination and two hookers making their international debuts. We have done it before with these tournaments where we have a dodgy first performance against the "minnows" then by the time we've hit our stride we're out.

We did very well with a yound squad, and ATEOTD we were a 50:50 VR decision and two conversions off the post from being in the final. But the bottom line is, once again, we are 3rd in a 3 horse race (slightly disrespectful to Samoa but there are still only 3 "elite" RL nations).

International RL really needs to be sorted out. The aussies seem to be able to pick and choose when and who they play, SL has now got a more congested fixture calendar than ever which has put a stop to mid-season fixtures and too many fans can't put club loyalties to one side and would rather moan about why X is in the team over Y than simply getting behind the team. The 3 test series against NZ over here should be excellent but there's no opportunity to capitalise on international RL's popularity when we have 3/4 games a year. The so-called "legacy" from the WC never materialised. The RLIF need more power and need to instill more integrity into the game, starting with one set of rules, neutral refs and a fixture calendar that is laid out years in advance, with teams being told where they are playing and not letting player's unions pull players out because they might be tired.

Regarding Smith, I got what I was expecting from him, plenty of talking, consistency and kicking game. I was expecting the flair to come from Widdop and Tomkins, that never came and that's what has disappointed me with out creative play. We have the wingers to score tries, we just didn't get them in space enough.

I can't believe the criticism that Widdop is attracting. If people can't see the improvement since Rangi Chase has been replaced then they are blind.

However it's always been my view that Sam Tomkins is England's best half back. For next year's games I'd like to see Sam in at SO or SH with Lomax or Ratchford in at full back.

A lot of people on here have said the same regarding Sam, Armchair coaches, and I'm including myself in that. The fact is though, he's not played halfback since halfway through the 2010 season.

Brian Noble was reportedly trying switch him to Fullback, Madge played him at FB, Wane, McNamara, Elliott & McFadden all see him as a fullback. They can't all be wrong can they?

No definitely not wrong. Agreed.

Full back was the right move at that stage of his career. Moving back to the halves just like Darren Lockyer did is the right move at this stage. It will prolong his career anyway. Getting mullered at Full back in the NRL week after week and hardly getting a decent pass worth the name off Johnson, can't be much fun. Time to come home Sam - just like Joel and Lee.

I'm not so sure. I was of that opinion and i have been of that opinion regarding Hampshire but I think it's because of the 'old' way of playing RL with a traditional 6 and 7. It seems that most teams play quite structured with the full back being a more off the cuff linking/running player. A traditional 6...

I think at the end of the day you want your best players on the ball as much as possible but you also want them out of the firing line defensively. I see fullback as that compromise now

I think moving Tomkins to 6 would actually benefit our attack because having a genuine running threat in the midfield causes doubt in the defence and frees up space for the centres and the FB linking into the line around the back. At the moment Smith and Widdop offer no running threat, and our 2nd row lacks the punch to attract defenders so the opposition defenders can concentrate on marking Tomkins and the England centres because they know that's where the attack will go. I also don't think Tomkins returns the ball that well from FB these days, the more I see him the more I think he's a HB.