Looking unlikely now.

I would agree , especially if the team is picked on form.

The only way Briscoe and Fox will miss the Rovers vs Warrington game is through injury or suspension

I think Riley, Gleeson, Briers, Morley, Westwood, Clarke, Myler should all play for England. Might keep the score to under 40

How have 2 promising internationals deteriorated so badly under one of the games best coaches?

For the most part Tansey is safe under any kicks. He is particularly good when its on the floor, and although he's dropped a couple of bombs this year I reckon you could count them on one hand. He has made a few errors but the vast majority of these have been when in attack. He scores tries, he makes tries, he's fairly quick (certainly quicker than Briscoe and Wellens) and is a pretty strong tackler too having got us out of some scrapes big some big shots on his own line. He's also a good kicker, positional and attacking. His only problem is kick returns, he seems reluctant to get his head down and make the yards that put us on the front foot.

Well looks like a dead set starter for the internationals then.

imo he should play, but of course everyone has different opinions. We'll see what McNamara's is. Personally I think he'll pick Briscoe, but I wouldn't be suprised if Tansey did get a call up.

How are Horne and Yeaman getting on?

Yeaman is having a good season, Horne too many injuries to judge, but has been hit and miss when he has played.

Both will improve the more Long plays.

Both Briscoe and Fox are average and it shows what poor options that we have when these two plus players like Shenton get picked got England.

I dont think he will pick Briscoe and shouldn't on current form but for me there are still a good few more better options than Tansey at full back.

There was fans on your forum only recently saying how poor he has been and will never make a full back, now after 2 wins against teams out of form he has suddenly become international material again in some peoples minds.

Your right but they are some of the best we have available, it just shows how poor the rest that are below them in the pecking order are aswell!

Been international material all season in my mind. tbf if Tansey is the best we've got it doesn't bode well for England, but he is the best of a bad bunch imo.

On the Leeds thread I have suggested that the backs are:

Briscoe
Bridge
Pryce
Hall

I dont really like putting Pryce at centre as he doesnt play there, but his form this season means he needs to be in and I would keep the Eastmond/Tomkins halfback pairing as it could be one for the nest few years.

No idea who to put at FB, Mathers or Lee Smith (again out of position, sort of).

Forwards we are so strong.

Shenton is twice the player Yeaman has ever been. Briscoe hasn't even been as good as average most of this season, and Fox has not had the service since he was switched to the right wing.

I think out of the backs you have named, the only one certain starter I would pick in his correct position would be Hall.

I still have doubts over Briscoe, crazy enough as it seems but he has scored alot of walk in trys this season for you guys, someone is handing them on a plate to him



Bridge hasn't been able to hold down a regular spot in the centres and the team this season, I would possibly pick Atkins over him.

Has Pryce had enough chances at this level? the reason I say this is because I think the Eastmond/Tomkins partnership should continue too. I know you dont rate Shenton but I think he deserves another shot.

I agree with you on the full back situation, both not ideal but what choices do we have!!!!

Kirk Yeaman givign him walk in trys



You forgot his trys v's you and saints.

He is strong going forward, good defence and getting better under the high ball, not perfect but again little other choice on the wing.

Bridge looks good when i watch him and thought he did well there in the last internationals, better than Atkins IMO, Shenton is very overated IMO, good defence, but doesnt seem to do a lot more, be interesting to see how he goes next season if he leaves Cas.

Pryce has been outstanding this year and should be included, but not in the halfback position, centre or FB maybe.

I think that 1-5 for england is up for grabs this year.

Not sure its Yeaman, think its Tansey feeding him



Still scored alot of walk in trys for me, not knocking him for that but most wingers will have scored those trys.

I still think he has a problem under the high ball but alot of wingers struggle to deal with quality kicks and I still think his positioning from kicks could be improved.

It is interesting on who will sign Shenton, looks like all the big clubs have been linked with him and I'm not including your club, even though its been mentioned on your forum a few times

does matter who we pick in the france game really give the young ine a run out , when we play the big guns(aus and the all black) we always fall short cos their faster and better with ball in hand, is these small games r ballocks!!!!

When are we due to play the All Blacks?

The best way of improving the standard of the English game at International level is to bring in a full-on State of Origin style competition, where the best of British play the best of British over a three match series like they do in Aussie.

The county origin thing didn't prove popular over here though. How do you think it could be re-introduced and attract support?

Make the Magic Weekend:

Day 1.
France vs Wales (or possibly 'Celtic Nations').
Yorks vs Lancs. (chosen from players not picked for England)

Day 2.
Championship Yorks vs Lancs.
England vs SL ANZACs.

It was never really given a chance imo and was played midweek iirc. You could do away with the pointless 'magic' weekend and really promote an Origin weekend where they play at all levels (U-18's, U-21's & SL) on the same day. Given the right level promotion it could become one of the major highlights of the season as it is down under. Long term it should become a permanant fixture on the SL calender and potentially it could provide huge nationwide appeal as there is nothing like it in any other sport.