I wouldnt play Myler and Tomkins together at half back against the Aussies but I would find a place for Eastmond without a shadow of a doubt.

Mcguire has pretty much under performed his entire international career and Myler is going to be 7. I wouldnt see an issue with playing Tomkins, he has something special.

Only other option i guess would be to alter the team i said and play Sinfield at 6 and bring Ellis off the bench to 13.

No he hasn't, he's looked the one player of the 6s, 7s & 13s who's proved himself.

Anyway, why would you choose Smith ahead of S Briscoe with T Briscoe ahead of Fox?

It just goes to show how bad thing's are in the back's when we have to look at people who can play their; but it's not the position they play for their club week in week out. Our centres will get creamed.

Because T Briscoe has played the last 2 and hasnt done anything to be replaced and S Briscoe is injured isnt he? Dont de-rail the thread with your FC v Rovers ramblings, some of us are trying to have a decent conversation here.

He hasn't done anything wrong granted but look at what Pelo did for the French - Fox is the only winger who can offer this type of threat.

Why would you replace S Briscoe with Smith?

Fox has offered no threat and by your own fans admission been way off form for the last couple of months. Dont see how he would get the spot back when Tom Briscoe as done all asked of him. Thats my rationale.

Regards to S Briscoe, did you read my reply? Go back and re-read it.

Not at all. Fox [ialways[/i offers a threat. Rovers fans (including myself) admit he's been in poor form but even in his poor form, he still remains a threat, and that's why he should play against Aus/NZ.

Not sure T Smith can play a winger that consistently drops the ball over the line. Chances like that vs Oz/NZ wont come up very often.

Pelo is very underrated IMO. Always enjoy watching him in SL.

Fair point about his knock-ons etc. but Smith is best playing him and hope his confidence returns cos then he's capable of producing fireworks.

It's Fox's own fault his form dropped significantly after the Cas game and I hope he has learned from this.

He can be a threat, i admit, but how many chances is he going to get against Aus compared with how many times he's going to be tested in defence which is his obvious weakness.

Bit unfair on pelo IMO. He didn't drop that much ball

Fox is strong but that's about it. he regularly loses posession, is rubbish under the high ball, isn't particluarly quick and his defence is suspect. Briscoe is 5 years younger than him and streets ahead in terms of ability

when you put it like that I wonder how he scored 18 tries and got in the dream team last year

I know, shows what a pile of carp the dream team is

i take it you were ignoring the first bit, the 18 tries?

ade gardner.

Welham for England!

Nuff said

You just described Calderwood to a tee except for the age difference.

He did in the last match by all accounts but this hasn't been a particular issue throughout the season.


Low on confidence but he's generally been strong at this aspect this season.


Ben Galea has said Fox is the fastest player he's played with or against in his whole career. His poor performance in the fastest man race (which FC fans hold their hats on) was down to a specific reason which will not be posted on this board so don't even ask.


No it isn't.


Bollox. Briscoe is a great young player with his exceptional strength being his outstanding assett, but he ain't no 'classic" outside back and never will be.

Whilst in bad form, Fox has proved this season and last (defined by his try away at Catalans last year when he skinned Pelo) he's capable of producing "winger's tries" that no other English back is capable of producing.

His speed out of dummy-half will be needed against the Aussies next week and I've got a sneaky feeling he'll play...

Wouldn't say Calderwood has bad defence myself.

Take your bloody specs off for once.

Look, I think Tom Briscoe is a potential world-class player but his attributes are suited to him being a centre and not a winger; there's even a chance he may end up playing second-row in 5/6 years down the line.

Whilst erratic, when Fox is in even decent form, the guy is absolute class - hence his inclusion in this year's dream team.