Re: England Elite Squad : Tue Mar 06, 2012 1:18 pm  

[Gareth] wrote:

Has never been any good at international level

I want him to play. It would be pure comedy watching him against his opposite number in Tony Williams.

When you look at our forwards though, alot of them could handle themselves in the NRL very well, Ellis, Morley, Graham and Burgess have already proved this, all have been outstanding in the time they have spent in the NRL. I'm sure Westwood, Lockers, Roby, Mossop etc. could all do a very good job in the NRL as well... Mark Flanagan did it!

Looking at the backline though, only Tomkins and Hall really stand out. Yes Bridge and Watkins are good players but they are made to look silly comparing them to Inglis.

Re: England Elite Squad : Tue Mar 06, 2012 1:27 pm  

Henderson could be a dark horse for selection

Re: England Elite Squad : Tue Mar 06, 2012 1:36 pm  

I'm quite encouraged by that squad! Obviously the main weakness are the centre's again, but once Reed has been added at the end of the season then it looks a lot better.

For me Rangi Chase should be nowhere near the England squad, not because he is a kiwi but because I don't think he offers England anything, especially when its a halfback pairing of McGuire and Chase. Briers shown in the last 4 Nations that with a good kicking game you can start building pressure against the likes of Australia and New Zealand so I'm glad to see Brough in there.

Once everyone was included my team would be...

Tomkins
Charnley
Reed
Watkins
Hall
Lomax
Brough
Peacock
Roby
Graham
Westwood
Hock
Lockers

Carvell
Crabtree
Jones-Buchanan
Mossop

Re: England Elite Squad : Tue Mar 06, 2012 1:40 pm  

obviously see how he goes this season, but id like to see prescott in there going on last years performances.

Re: England Elite Squad : Tue Mar 06, 2012 2:49 pm  

I'd go with:

Tomkins
Hall
Watkins
Reed
Briscoe
Widdop (forgot him)
Brough
Graham
Roby
Peacock
Westwood
Ellis
Burgess

Burrow
Mossop
Morley
JJB / Hock

Doesn't look bad to me.

Re: England Elite Squad : Tue Mar 06, 2012 2:53 pm  

Charlie Sheen wrote:

I'd go with:

Tomkins
Hall
Watkins
Reed
Briscoe
Chase / McGuire
Brough
Graham
Roby
Peacock
Westwood
Ellis
Burgess

Burrow
Mossop
Morley
JJB

Doesn't look bad to me.

Does to me

Re: England Elite Squad : Tue Mar 06, 2012 3:28 pm  

Coventry Warrior! wrote:

I'm quite encouraged by that squad! Obviously the main weakness are the centre's again, but once Reed has been added at the end of the season then it looks a lot better.

For me Rangi Chase should be nowhere near the England squad, not because he is a kiwi but because I don't think he offers England anything, especially when its a halfback pairing of McGuire and Chase. Briers shown in the last 4 Nations that with a good kicking game you can start building pressure against the likes of Australia and New Zealand so I'm glad to see Brough in there.

Once everyone was included my team would be...

Tomkins
Charnley
Reed
Watkins
Hall
Lomax
Brough
Peacock
Roby
Graham
Westwood
Hock
Lockers

Carvell
Crabtree
Jones-Buchanan
Mossop

Burgess and Widdop?

Re: England Elite Squad : Tue Mar 06, 2012 4:10 pm  

[Gareth] wrote:

Has never been any good at international level

WIlkin was probably England's best player in last years Four Nations Final. Not saying much I know but at least he turned up

Re: England Elite Squad : Tue Mar 06, 2012 4:44 pm  

My full strength England team would be:

Tomkins
Charnley
Reed
Watkins
Hall
Widdop
Brough
Graham
Roby
Burgess
Westwood
Ellis
O'Loughlin

Mossop
McIlorum
Crabtree
Hock

But I think Crapbanana will go with:

Tomkins
Briscoe
Reed
Bridge
Hall
Chase
Sinfield
Peacock
Roby
Graham
Ellis
Westwood
O'Loughlin

Widdop
Crabtree
Carvell
Morley

We will win this stupid England/Wales/France tri tournament at the end of the season by miles, papering over the cracks of our rubbish coach and when the world cup comes along none of the young players will have enough international experience and players like Morley and Peacock will be gone and we will yet again be embarrassed by the Aussies. This is the England way.

Re: England Elite Squad : Tue Mar 06, 2012 5:10 pm  

Sam Burgess is a backrower, and should be played in the back row if possible. No other LF should get a look in unless he's injured.

I'm not sure Wilkin deserves the stick he gets based on last years 4 nations, he showed up pretty well. He'll never be a world beater but he didn't look out of his depth at all.