Re: England 19-man squad for RLWC Semi Final : Thu Nov 17, 2022 1:48 am  

Father Ted wrote:

No NRL based players will be available so it will be Super League only selection. Also no English players based at Catalans
will be selected.

Welsby,
Makinson, Newman, Wardle, Burgess,
Williams (c) Dodd,
Oledski, Ackers, Walmsley,
Farrell, Batchelor,
Cameron Smith.

Hill, Lees, Gannon, Harry Smith.

I think you might see Liam Byrne in that team next season and definitely KPP. I am not sure what benefit there is to selecting players who will be in their mid-thirties by the time the next World Cup comes around.

Re: England 19-man squad for RLWC Semi Final : Thu Nov 17, 2022 1:49 am  

Add Knowles to that list as well.

Re: England 19-man squad for RLWC Semi Final : Thu Nov 17, 2022 7:39 am  

Jason65 wrote:

3 comments about the France game,1 upbeat 2 slightly negative.
I for one will be going as will Pieman I suspect,hopefully Henngirl and MadDogg will as well.
More fans go,looks good and more money to England RL.
Surely that is a good thing as the game needs the money as we all know and every little bit helps.

Yes i'll be there. They've got the fixture details out nice and early, so we dont have any reason to complain we didnt know about it (got to be honest one of my biggest gripes in the past about lack of marketing etc with the RFL)

I think its NickyKiss who also comments in a similar way to how i see things. We need to see the long term international calendar, and it be meaningful.

I think the majority of fans appreciate that a mid-season test(s) are only likely to be v France or Scotland / Wales / Ireland etc, as there is no way that the NRL would sanction an international side coming over or any of their players for that matter

So we make the best of it we can and get the valuable time together as an England team, start building some combinations (admittedly we are missing 5 or 6 players who play NRL) but use it as something to build on and get the French team some experience too. if the IMG takeover goes well, why not build in a short international calendar into the season where we play 2 or 3 tests. RU can fit in the 6 nations and Autumn internationals whilst they play their season, so could be something that we look at, but squad numbers would also need to be considered and subsequent salary cap implications if running with bigger squads?

So as a starter its a positive we've got a game in early and running off the success of the world cup. And, as i posted earlier i'd like to see a tour of some form at the end of the season

Re: England 19-man squad for RLWC Semi Final : Thu Nov 17, 2022 8:41 am  

I think France is ideal following a World Cup year for a mid season test.

It helps them and is hopefully part of the rebuilding process for England. The year after and following years building towards the 25 WC I would like to see us play one of the Pacific Island nations.

In regards venue I’ve never been to Warrington’s “new” stadium prior to the Tonga v Samoa semi but I thought it was a cracking rugby stadium.

Re: England 19-man squad for RLWC Semi Final : Thu Nov 17, 2022 8:46 am  

It is a great stadium.
WE need more internationals thats for sure,at least this one is soon after the World cup and will help with rebuilding towards the next.
If we could play at least 1 test series a year would be fantastic.

Re: England 19-man squad for RLWC Semi Final : Thu Nov 17, 2022 11:16 am  

Zig wrote:

Add Knowles to that list as well.

And Morgan Smithies.

I wouldn't include Makinson, Walmsey Farrell, or Hill. We need to be building towards the 2025 World Cup in France.

Re: England 19-man squad for RLWC Semi Final : Thu Nov 17, 2022 11:20 am  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

And Morgan Smithies.

I wouldn't include Makinson, Walmsey Farrell, or Hill. We need to be building towards the 2025 World Cup in France.

I agree.

Re: England 19-man squad for RLWC Semi Final : Thu Nov 17, 2022 11:43 am  

Will be interesting to see what happens with Farnworth over the next few years.

I’ve a feeling Union will come calling but he also has a desire to play fullback, which could have significant implications for the England set up.

Re: England 19-man squad for RLWC Semi Final : Thu Nov 17, 2022 12:10 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

And Morgan Smithies.

I wouldn't include Makinson, Walmsey Farrell, or Hill. We need to be building towards the 2025 World Cup in France.

i reckon Makinson will still be around in 3 years time and capable of producing at international level. The rest i agree with and i posted something similar on Warriors fans earlier in the week, Anyone who will be too old for the WC shouldnt be considered and look to build a side / squad for that

Re: England 19-man squad for RLWC Semi Final : Thu Nov 17, 2022 1:04 pm  

I wouldn’t be writing Makinson off yet either. He looks incredibly fit and he’s been sensational in an England shirt. We have to be careful not to go too far and strip out all the experience in the squad because as much as we need to plan for 2025, we also need to win whatever games we have beforehand.

It certainly should be the end for Tomkins, Micky Mac, Cooper, Hill and probably Watkins (due to injuries over the years catching up with him) but I’d keep Makinson and maybe Whitehead in our plans in the shorter term. I also would write off a player like Farrell, who is as fit as he’s ever been.

You’d imagine Lomax and Walmsley come back in to Wanes thoughts if they’re available and you’re then looking at guys in the WC squad like Oledzki, Batchelor, KPP and Lees to step forward. Outside of the squad the next guys in line and guys I’d like to see push themselves forward include Pryce, Newman, Wardle, Dodds, Harry Smith, Lewis, Leeming, Smithies, Havard, Byrne, Trout, Gannon and Cameron Smith. There’s some real talent there, they just need to take those next steps forward.