[Bullseye]

Re: England Squad Announced : Wed Apr 07, 2021 10:04 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

Never been played in the right way for England, being used off the bench or in spells from the start. Farrell’s biggest attribute is his unbelievable engine, which means he does 80 minutes every week for Wigan and as opposition forwards are tiring, he’s getting stronger. His record is phenomenal for us on every score, tackles, lack of missed tackles, assists, try’s, metres and so on. I have never in my 30 odd years watching rugby league come across a guy as criminally underrated. He is World Class for us but because he’s not 6ft 5 and 18 stones or he’s not mouthing off and getting in to scrapes, he gets pigeon holed as ‘too small for internationals’. I love John Bateman and he’s been to the NRL and proved how good he is, well Liam Farrell has been every bit as good for us as John Bateman has been at every step of the way. They’re both fabulous players and whilst different in style I cannot split them in a Wigan shirt.

We’re lucky as a country to have both of them and Elliot Whitehead and I expect Wane will figure out a way of starting all three. That’ll do for me. I don’t think leaving Jake Connor out is a sign Wane doesn’t know what he’s doing, in fact it’s probably the total opposite. Keep a notoriously up and down player on his toes, keep pushing him and come World Cup time, if he’s still playing as well as he’s done in a whopping two games, I expect he’ll make the 17.

If Wane can get a performance at international level out of Farrell that is on a par with what he does for Wigan then great. It depends if he sees Thompson at 13 or not as you have to pick both Whitehead and Bateman to start. Take the point about Connor - just hope he doesn't take his bat home.

Re: England Squad Announced : Wed Apr 07, 2021 3:47 pm  

Bullseye wrote:

I see that Wane has come out and said that Tomkins is his current fullback choice. Just worry a bit about his size when bringing the ball back - he looked out of his depth at the Warriors. I know it was some time ago but playing for England he's going to be in a side that might struggle for go-forward versus the likes of Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga and Fiji. Hope he's improved under the bomb too as he'll get plenty of those.

Compared with the likes of Tedesco, Mitchell, Papenhuyzen, Gutherson, RTS etc we're severely lacking at fullback.

Tomkins generally doesn't return the ball, he hands it off to his winger. He did that for Wigan under Wane so I'd assume that's what will happen again for GB.

Re: England Squad Announced : Wed Apr 07, 2021 4:10 pm  

Good squad in my opinion. Nailed his colours to the mast with Tomkins, as already been mentioned, and Williams is the first choice 7. Lomax is almost certain to partner him, fitness allowing. The hooker position is the only key spot that seems open. Interesting to see which direction he goes, but I suspect it will be Roby. Good mix of youth and experience across the spine of the team. That would give Wane the best shot at winning it.

Bateman will be one back rower. He’s spoken before about Toby King, who has continued to develop and is a probable rather than a possible on current form. Magilvary has proved himself a handy international winger, makes a lot of ground, but Makinson might offer more on that right wing position. Johnstone I’d fit would be a great threat on the left wing.

I think, baring an unbelievable run of form from someone on the fringe, the bulk of the squad is settled.

Re: England Squad Announced : Wed Apr 07, 2021 6:33 pm  

Barbed Wire wrote:

Good squad in my opinion. Nailed his colours to the mast with Tomkins, as already been mentioned, and Williams is the first choice 7. Lomax is almost certain to partner him, fitness allowing. The hooker position is the only key spot that seems open. Interesting to see which direction he goes, but I suspect it will be Roby. Good mix of youth and experience across the spine of the team. That would give Wane the best shot at winning it.

Bateman will be one back rower. He’s spoken before about Toby King, who has continued to develop and is a probable rather than a possible on current form. Magilvary has proved himself a handy international winger, makes a lot of ground, but Makinson might offer more on that right wing position. Johnstone I’d fit would be a great threat on the left wing.

I think, baring an unbelievable run of form from someone on the fringe, the bulk of the squad is settled.

Not sure Lomax is almost certain to partner Williams, Gale went well last year at Leeds IMO and would offer a better kicking game. He would be my choice.

Re: England Squad Announced : Wed Apr 07, 2021 9:24 pm  

Grimmy wrote:

Not sure Lomax is almost certain to partner Williams, Gale went well last year at Leeds IMO and would offer a better kicking game. He would be my choice.

As a St. Helens fan, Lomax doesn’t have the pace required for international level

Re: England Squad Announced : Wed Apr 07, 2021 10:19 pm  

Steph Curry wrote:

As a St. Helens fan, Lomax doesn’t have the pace required for international level

I'd be alright with him if Williams is injured, but it's one or the other IMO. You need an organiser and kicker in there. When you try to make Williams the main man and give him too much ball he starts trying to do too much and running up his own backside. Gale would be a good partner to take that pressure off him and let him pick his moments, as he does at the Raiders with Wighton as his partner. Gale tore us apart in the CC semi doing just that. Nothing flashy but it does translate well to international level.

Re: England Squad Announced : Thu Apr 08, 2021 9:03 am  

I’d be amazed if he didn’t go with Lomax. Especially with Tomkins as an added creative/kicking option. Personally I prefer Gale, but Lomax is winning big games and is a good defender.

[Bullseye]

Re: England Squad Announced : Thu Apr 08, 2021 9:24 am  

It'll depend on form/fitness on who partners Williams, but it's likely to be Gale or Lomax or possibly a wildcard in Connor.

We'll need a good kicking game as building pressure will be vital. We need two players able to stand the ball up in the in goal area on both sides of the pitch. Hodgson has a good long kicking game so if he can be coached not to overplay then I'd pick him as starting hooker.

Re: England Squad Announced : Thu Apr 08, 2021 12:42 pm  

Like Farrell, has Lomax ever had a good game at international level? I can't recall one but maybe he has.

Re: England Squad Announced : Thu Apr 08, 2021 1:35 pm  

Tomkins
Makinson
King
Farnworth
Johnstone
Williams
Gale
Burgess
Roby
Cooper
Whitehead
Bateman
Sutton

Clarke
Lees
Thompson
Walmsley