Sean O'Loughlin ruled out - Tom Briscoe in

[JasonE]

Bad luck for Lockers, ruled out with a broken thumb but awesome news for 19yo Tom Briscoe.

 

[roughyedspud]

not exactly like for like is it...

would rather have had tony clubb called up he's big enough to cover the back row positions if desparately needed and is a center/winger anyway

but what do i know??

 

[JasonE]

Spud
Could this be the time for an Oldhamer, Kevin Sinfield to finally step up and perform in big test matches ?
He is a top class Super League player but so far hasn't imposed himself in tests, now that O'Loughlin is out that should allow him to start at lock forward.
He has to take his chance.

 

[roughyedspud]

i know kev,he was acouple of years below me at school (but played for our year a few times)...

i suppose it depends on how tony smith wants to play it? he's stated many a time now that he wants a forward based power game...then he has to,and will, go with burgess at 13...

i honestly would'nt be surprised if kev played 6 against france,with mcguire @ 7, kev had is greatest game at international level @ 6 against france at headingley a couple of years ago....maybe thats is international level though? cos has you said he's often found wanting...or gone missing..even though he does it week in week out in super league, were theres no more consistant player than kev..

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

England need Sculthorpe still. O'Loughlin is crap, he is Feleti Mateo without the skill, and thats what Mateo has going for him. Lazy defender, he gets involved in alot of tackles, but he would never do the try saving stuff that guys like Hindmarsh would do. If i was a Pome, I wouldnt allow O'Loughlin near the jersey, but its not as if England has much choice.

Sinfield should be there, good defender and has the ability to offer more in attack then O'Loughlin.

 

[Newie is God's Country]

I hope the young Enlgand team has a real go. Myler, Briscoe, Eastmond and Tomkins are the future and by all accounts not bad players. Add Burgess to that and you have the core of a talented young side. Tony Smith has cleared the overrated dead wood although his continual selection of Ben Westwood proves he does have a sense of humour. Westwood is a joke.

 

[Deleted member 10972]

With Sean O'Loughlin unavailable through injury, clearly Kevin Sinfield is the next best option. Another ballplaying lock with a high defensive workrate and leadership.

Stephen Wild would not have looked out of place either, as would have big Jamie Langley. I would have liked to see that young Castleford bloke get a go - Joe Westerwood. Has size, strength, skill and pace.

 

[Evil Homer]

Westerman has not gone so well this year, and Langley has been shocking. Wild would have probably been a good replacement for O'Loughlin.

 

[Deleted member 10972]

Westerman has not gone so well this year, and Langley has been shocking. Wild would have probably been a good replacement for O'Loughlin.

I know stats are overrated, etc, but this season:

Jamie Langley – 25 games, 2 tries, 8 linebreaks, 4 try assists, average 15 runs for 95 metres, 36 tackles
Statistically his best year, broke the line, made plenty of yards and a truckload of tackles too.

Stephen Wild – 26 games, 4 tries, 6 linebreaks, 6 try assists, average 8 runs for 47 metres, 32 tackles
Good figures, but not anywhere near as good as his top form back in 2007, where he broke the line at will as well as made plenty of tackles.

Kevin Sinfield – 25 games, 4 tries, 4 linebreaks, 9 try assists, average 14 runs for 64 metres, 31 tackles
A quieter year compared to his past 2-3 seasons, but not bad at all, plenty of tackles, runs and try assists.

Joe Westerwood – 25 games, 9 tries, 11 linebreaks, 4 try assists, average 9 runs for 56 metres, 29 tackles
Not as good as his amazing form last year, but not bad by any means.