ENGLAND in 4 nations . you rate them ?

[BrisbaneRhino]

I'd go for something close to that. I know the issue with Tomkins at 7, but he has to be involved in attack as much as possible, and I really don't like the idea of him being peppered with high balls or being clobbered running the ball back.

I have a couple of minor questions, as the only definite change I'd make is starting ith G Burgess, with Hill on the bench.

I'd prefer it if Clark could play 80 minutes, but if Hodgson can play elsewhere in the pack, even for short minutes that may be the best we can do. I haven't seen enough of Hodgson to tell, but would it be an idea to start with him and have Clark off the bench rather than the other way round?

The wings may need to swap as well, or does Burgess play on the right? We know Hall can play both, so you'd put Burgess on his strongest side.

The backrow still looks a bit iffy to me, and I'm not sold on Shenton either, but compared to some sides I've seen here (Richard Horne at halfback, Franny Cummins, Lee Smith, Mark Calderwood etc) it doesn't look too bad. I really can't see England beating Australia, but that's because after 30+ years I'm still waiting to see it happen....

 

[peyow]

Id still play TOMKINS at fullback. Its his best position and can inject himself anywhere in the backline instead of being limited to a playmaking role. I still prefer CHARNLEY over Joe Burgess if hes healthy but either one would be effective. HALL is the worlds second best winger and an automatic selection. WATKINS gets one centre role, id give the other one to HARDAKER who has had a very good year. As good as Shenton has been this year, id like to see England use their younger players more this year and target winning the 2016 Four Nations on home soil. The Halves combination will be WIDDOP and SMITH. I think its time England used specialist halves instead of fitting in talented locks there. The 2014 Man of Steel DARYL CLARK will be Robys replacement as the starting hooker. Starting props will be the worlds best front rower JAMES GRAHAM and GEORGE BURGESS who was the NRL Grand Finals man of the match in many peoples eyes. Back row will consist of FERRES, JOEL TOMKINS and newly appointed captain SEAN O'LOUGHLIN. On my bench id have TOM BURGESS and CHRIS HILL to give the props a rest, ELLIOT WHITEHEAD as an impact 2nd rower, hes had a great season and would bring a bit of X factor off the bench, and DAN SARGINSON. He may not get many minutes, playing a utility role similar to what Daly Cherry-Evans has done for Queensland and Australia over the last couple of years and Cronk did before him. I think Sarginson is a very good young player and someone who, along with Tomkins, Clark and the Burgess twins, that England could plan their future around

 

[roughyedspud]

joe burgess plays on the left...


and sam tomkins is'nt going to play 7 either....matty smith is a grand final,challenge cup final and lance todd trophy winner..he deserves his chance

 

[marv]

and sam tomkins is'nt going to play 7 either....matty smith is a grand final,challenge cup final and lance todd trophy winner..he deserves his chance

I wasn't sure about this but having had a good think about the options I now agree with you Widdop/Smith.

 

[Indelible]

Sarginson and Clark are the two players I'm most looking forward to watching at this level

 

[roughyedspud]

I wasn't sure about this but having had a good think about the options I now agree with you Widdop/Smith.

good lad

 

[marv]

good lad

Well, I know you will be happier with my blessing :sarcasm: ;-)

 

[goodplayer]

england team looking very strong now . im sure the odds will shorten soon , very nice

 

[roughyedspud]

they won't....42 years of being crap will keep it at 12/1-$13

 

[JasonE]

Samoa are going to ambush England, they have a strong team and England's preparation is poor. I can't believe they arrive 10 days before a big game, it will take 4-5 days to get over jet lag and evenkngercto adjust to the heat of Brisbane.
If they can get over Samoa, I think they will be a good chance of making the final.

 

[roughyedspud]

its certainly a stumbling block....but the england knights put 50+ on samoa...so the full side should breeze past them no worries...


and the apparent heat won't be a problem,believe it or not our guys do get to play in the heat during our summer and every other week in the south of france,which is every bit as hot as brisbane....and i was in brisbane & surfers during november in 2008....it wasn't that hot

 

[Scubby]

Samoa are going to ambush England, they have a strong team and England's preparation is poor. I can't believe they arrive 10 days before a big game, it will take 4-5 days to get over jet lag and evenkngercto adjust to the heat of Brisbane.
If they can get over Samoa, I think they will be a good chance of making the final.

A few years ago they may have stumbled. I think England will beat Samoa by 25-30 points. As was mentioned, these guys hold no fear for the England team. With G Burgess, Graham, Widdop, Tomkins, O'Loughlin we already have a lot of experience. This is no longer a novice squad.

 

[goodplayer]

hope all the best for england

what players in england squad . who are from other countries

like from Scotland, wales, Ireland, Australia, new zealand, France, and others

this england team is the european . northern hemisphere, combined team

 

[miguel de cervantes]

hope all the best for england

what players in england squad . who are from other countries

like from Scotland, wales, Ireland, Australia, new zealand, France, and others

this england team is the european . northern hemisphere, combined team

um, no it is not. all are english as far as I am aware.

 

[deal.with.it]

Goodplayer you're doing my head in...

 

[roughyedspud]

hope all the best for england

what players in england squad . who are from other countries

like from Scotland, wales, Ireland, Australia, new zealand, France, and others

this england team is the european . northern hemisphere, combined team

i can't decide whether you are 12,8 or 6...

 

[roughyedspud]

um, no it is not. all are english as far as I am aware.

as mentioned earlier in the thread,dan sarginson was born in perth but moved to the uk aged 5 or 6...

 

[CC_Roosters]

Wouldn't it be great to see some articles in the Australian media on the new Zealand, England Samoa squads and their chances. Instead we are fed cap about burnout and the tournament itself is largely sidelined by our own rugby league media here. Stars like Graham and George burgess are involved who they happily write reams of NRL related articles about in winter but when it Comes to international season they just forget them.

 

[miguel de cervantes]

Wouldn't it be great to see some articles in the Australian media on the new Zealand, England Samoa squads and their chances. Instead we are fed cap about burnout and the tournament itself is largely sidelined by our own rugby league media here.

Without question due to Australia's domination and an overdose of league after a long season. The whole thing becomes a bit blasé to most but the engrained fans such as those that post in here. As such the media don't really bother.

 

[hutch]

Wouldn't it be great to see some articles in the Australian media on the new Zealand, England Samoa squads and their chances. Instead we are fed cap about burnout and the tournament itself is largely sidelined by our own rugby league media here. Stars like Graham and George burgess are involved who they happily write reams of NRL related articles about in winter but when it Comes to international season they just forget them.

Havnt bought the telegraph in years but it gets delivered to work, not surprised to see the back page today again with Greg inglis' manager quoting how his player is mentally fatigued and that he will be playing too many games in the next year. Give it a rest already, there is a great tournament coming up that is important to rugby league. Do they realise there are players outside of the Australian team?