Looks like the press has had access to Nsemba this week which I would say pretty much guarantees he will be involved.

Even more confident when the content is about his Grand Final “concussion” and the fact he wants to make his debut on Saturday. I’d say he’s nailed on for a bench spot.

I agree but realistically I don't think there is a need to see 2 or 3 players in action who didn't play on Sunday. Nsemba is a yes and maybe Marshall and Danny Walker but Chris Hill and Ben Currie I'm not so sure. That leaves Morgan Smithies, who I'm a huge fan of but he looks to be third in the pecking order at loose forward and if that's the case, I'd rather Morgan Knowles get a game starting and let him play 80 minutes. I've mentioned before, we don't need two loose forwards on the bench, so he is a victim of the depth we have in that position for me.

It would leave us along the lines of-

Welsby
Young Newman Farnworth Marshall
Williams Smith
Thompson Walker Lees
Bateman Pearce-Paul Radley

Subs-T Burgess Havard Nsemba Lewis

That feels a decent balance of having a look at a couple of players but still naming a side to win the game.

That bench feels a lot stronger and more impactful than the one we had in the 1st test too

Reading between the lines of what is being released in the media I’m guessing Marshall & Nsemba will definitely play on Saturday.

Given they have already stated Thompson will play I look forward to the Wane only picks Wigan players comments all over social media.

Form Prop
Form second row (young player of the year)
Form winger (top try scorer)

It is without doubt some (the daft ones) will say Wane only picks Wigan players

When I discuss Englands strongest team, I feel slightly biased when I say we need Thompson in, Nsemba in and if fit, we'd obviously have Wardle in but it's just not is it? They're the best prop and centre in Superleague and Nsemba is a sensation. Maybe calling for Marshall could be seen as slightly biased but in fairness I wouldn't pick him in our best 17 but if they do want to look at a back up option, get him in there. Come the Ashes, I'd pick Brad O'Neill in a heartbeat if he comes back well from his injury.

There is a huge amount of links to Wigan in Englands 17 but I think similar would be picked by Wane or any other coach.

I’ve no issues with any of those. It’s not Wigan bias, it’s the best players in those positions. I’d personally prefer Ashton but wouldn’t lose sleep if Marshall was selected. He wouldn’t let anyone down.

I genuinely think Nsemba has the potential to be the best back rower in the world.

Ashton is a better player than Marshall IMO. I thought he was superb last Sunday and deserves his spot. If they want to take a look at a back up option, then throw Marshall in and as ever, he'll do a great job. I don't remember us being so blessed on the wings for a very long time because had Tom Johnstone been fully fit towards the back end of the season, he'd likely have been in the squad and pushed Marshall down to 4th choice, which is a great position to be in.

Yet it wasn't all over the media that there were literally twice as many Saints players than Wigan on Sunday, despite them having a poor season as a club. Strange that. Could it be that he's just picking who he thinks the best available players are? Surely not?

Add to that, Smith and Havard never played for Wigan under Wanes coaching.

I agree O'Neil would also be in as first choice hooker,I also would have Ashton over Marshall but would definitely give Marshy a go just to see how he goes and he deserves a chance.
I see no bias in picking the strongest team even if it means a few Wigan players included or any other teams .

I would have Daryl Clarke as first choice hooker and O'Neil as backup, just think Clarke has that experience and would be my first choice.
I really like Ashton but I would like to see Marshall at international level, admittedly I have not seen as much of Ashton at club level than Marshall but I don't know if Ashton has the kicking game that we often see from Marshall and would like to see if he can replicate it at international level.

Marshall named in the 19, with Dom Young injured, so it looks like he'll be playing. That is really well deserved on the back of what has been a few good seasons on the spin. All 5 Wigan players named, with Thompson and Marshall in for Dom Young and Tom Burgess being the 2 changes to last weeks 19. That'll mean no minutes in the series for Hill, Walker and Smithies (and possibly Nsemba and Currie) which to be fair seems about right in terms of striking a balance between opportunity and winning. Marshall, Thompson and Nsemba for Young, Burgess and Knowles would be my changes.

Brad first choice and Clarke as back up (I am looking at the world cup and Ashes)as I think Clarke could be getting on a bit by the time they come round.Walker should be in the mix aswell.

I really do want Marshy to play as he is a class finisher and we need to see what he can do (like we dont know).

I think Junior will play.

We have to play Nsemba ,he is box office and will become a high profile player if not now but in the future and the game needs these type of players like a French etc.

The big benefit of Marshall is his relationship with Wardle. That partnership was devastating this year. International teams get sod all time together, so if we can transplant an already successful partnership into the England team then that makes sense IMO

As much as we want him to I think Marshy is 4th in line behind Young, Ashton and Johnstone. With all due respect to him I don’t see how/where he can improve to get ahead of them.

He’s a cracking player but the others are just genetically a bit better.

You put Marshy in Youngs body you’ve got the best winger in the world.

In isolation those players may be better than Marshall, but is Wardle + Marshall a more effective defensive and attacking force than Wardle + any of those other 3?

It is a moot point for this series, but it should be given consideration for the series next year when that left side could be Marshall - Wardle - Nsemba - Smith

So what we are saying-
Marshall-Top try scorer
Wardle-Top centre
Nsemba- Young player of the year
Smith- great control of the game,superb kicker
Won all trophies you can win as a integral part of the team,Yep I would go with that,they so compliment each other.

It’s a fair point but personally I still think Marshy will be relying on those 3 ahead of him at the moment to pick up knocks if he is to force his way into the starting 13 for England.

Short term though with Young and Johnstone being out he gets his chance to represent England and I’m looking forward to him hopefully having a top game and pushing himself up the pecking order.

In reality we have some pretty good depth in the wing position and by the time the Aussies come over in 2025 there could be a few more names pushing for a spot too.

Looking like Nsemba is starting looking at England social media he’s been presented with the 12 shirt.

Any idea what happened to Havard? looked like he may have been injured.

Otherwise pretty good. All our guys did well, especially Thompson and Nsemba.

Farnworth is world class.

Can't wait for game 1 of the ashes

Farnworth won't be shifting from left centre so Wane will have to decide between shifting Wardle to the right or sticking with a specialist right centre in Newman.

Firstly Wardle will need to be available. Something feels slightly off with his absences from internationals time and again. Hopefully injuries every time these games come around are just a coincidence and not a case of him not really fancying it. I can't help but wonder with his character if he's a lad who doesn't want to spend time away from home and his family. It would be a shame if that is the case.