With this current squad:

Lomax
McGil Watkins Sarg Hall
Williams Brown
Jammer Hodgson Hill
Faz Whithead
Sammy Boyle
-------------------
Tom/Taylor
George
Clark
Bateman

Are they supposed to announce a 19 for the NZ game today?

Quote ="Grimmy"Are they supposed to announce a 19 for the NZ game today?'" www.totalrl.com/england-make-fiv ... ns-opener/

Quote ="Grimmy"Are they supposed to announce a 19 for the NZ game today?'" www.totalrl.com/england-make-fiv ... ns-opener/

Surprised he's dropped Taylor and Percival. Looks like Sarge back at centre then.

Yeah Taylor went well in the France game, bias towards the guys who play against Aus/NZ week in week out in the NRL I suppose. I'd leave out Lomax (Sarge is proven at international level and his workrate will likely prove more useful that Lomax's flashy stuff. Bateman can then play centre, again, workrate and toughness over being flashy) and Gale (At least he's an unknown quantity, I've never seen Widdop do anything at international level). However, I suspect you are correct, with Gale and one of Farrell/Bateman probably missing out.

I think Cooper and one of Gale / Widdopmissing out.

Lomas at FB and Sarge centre.

widdop will play as he is the kicker.
so its either george or gale, and one of the 4 second rows (tough call as there are arguments for all 4 on that one)

Best England team in years.

Maybe a fully fit Tomkins would get in but otherwise I think its as strong as it could be.

Does lomax not kick goals?

This is as good an England team as we could pick and four nations success is achievable.

Have seen the team. Farrell isn't in it.

Quote ="R.B.A"Have seen the team. Farrell isn't in it.'" Neither is Williams www.totalrl.com/bennett-confirms ... will-miss/

Quote ="R.B.A"Have seen the team. Farrell isn't in it.'" Neither is Williams www.totalrl.com/bennett-confirms ... will-miss/

NRL based players will always get chosen over SL players regardless of them having average seasons.

See: George Burgess chosen ahead of Scott Taylor and Gareth Widdop chosen ahead of George Williams.

Would have preferred to see Williams rather than Widdop.
I think you are right, Widdop is chosen because he plays in a higher-intensity competition.

It's Farrell or Bateman. They are both good players but too light weight to play both.

Has picked Bateman because he can play centre.

An average season in the NRL is arguably harder to achieve than a standout season in the sl, far tougher comp throughout.

100% correct.

Very worried about Widdop and Gale. Too similar IMO, but I hope they prove me wrong. Going to be invaluable experience for Williams working under a coach like Bennett.

How widdop gets selected I'll never know, he's been poor all season in a very poor st George team, but I guess just like George burgess he plays in the NRL whereas George Williams & Scott Taylor don't.

Widdop was guaranteed to be selected so that left a toss up between Gale and Williams. Hard choice but i think Luke deserves his place. I hope he takes it with both hands and Widdop has a shocker, then we might get the rightful England pairing of Gale and Williams.

I couldn't agree more Gale does deserve his spot as he's been outstanding all season but widdop I feel is only playing because he plays in the NRL. I don't want widdop to have a shocker as I want England to win but he should get his place based on merit and not because he's deemed to be a super hero because he plays in Australia

They need to have a good game this week, because it would be a hell of a lot of pressure on Williams if he got thrown in next week.

I wouldn't worry about them being too similar as it works okay for Thurston and Cronk, who play similar roles for their clubs

You guys obviously watch Williams more than me, but from what I see he barely does anything until he is the opponents half or sometimes even the opponents 20.
I think if you play for england you have to contribute more in general play, not just attacking the line, especially in the kicking game
Thats why England did better last year with Smith than Williams

Also, imo Gale should have got man of steel and was easily the best half in the league last year so the question is between Williams and Widdop for me

I think that's a bit harsh; Williams is a decent defender too (although so is Widdop, to be fair).