19 man squad:

John Bateman
Joe Burgess
Thomas Burgess
Mike Cooper
Leroy Cudjoe
Liam Farrell
Brett Ferres
James Graham
Ryan Hall
Zak Hardaker
Chris Hill
Josh Hodgson
Sean O’Loughlin, captain
James Roby
Kallum Watkins
Ben Westwood
Elliott Whitehead
Gareth Widdop
George Williams

Sam Tomkins is still struggling with his knee which is a worry both for the NZ series and beyond. If hate to think it'll come out that he needs an op after this series.

On a side note what a boost for Williams! He looks to be first choice alongside Widdop which is both surprising and the correct call. It does make you think Sam Tomkins may be going in to the halves should he be fit for the Hull test though.

Luke Gale is unlucky to miss out.

He is. He's been exceptional this year for Cas and he's certainly above Matty Smith in the pecking order.

I like the balance Williams and Widdop gives us though. Widdop can control the play and move the team around and hopefully allow Williams more of a free hand. He could cause all sorts of problems if Widdop can take more pressure off his shoulders then Smith managed to do at times.

Burgess & Watkins would be a frightening combination. Shame he'll probably get partnered with Cudjoe.

Sam has now been out injured and has not played for god knows how long
As good a player as he is do you believe that he should walk straight into a test series against the Kiwis without having played for so long?

no

No he should not play against the Kiwis, he has not played for almost 2 months whilst nursing knee injury.
He should walk away from the test series, get into rehab so as to be ready for next season with Wigan.
Lockers is a prime example of a player who has carried a "slight" injury through an Autumn Tri Series and then missed several matches when the regular season starts.

In agreement, Tomkins should pull out. He can't be right if he's still not fit and it obviously needs some attention.

Still at least the guy is giving it everything to get his body out on the field. Keiron Cunningham would have been 'beached' in Tenerife by now.

Not in any way anti SB, but if he is going to play any part against the Kiwis, it needs to be limited minutes and off the bench to see how he goes. No good to England or Wigan if he gets crocked through doing too much after a long break and whilst carrying an injury.

Shame we don't have a much stronger French team. I know they were missing a few but the result was never going to be in any doubt. They seem to have a problem with RU pinching their best talent. They used to play with such flair