Sinfields best performances in an England shirt have been at hooker.

Englands 'fullback' is a chronic fullback .... Not a bad player, just a bad fullback.



All too easily shut down by decent opposition (ever seen him have a good game against Leeds or Wire?), defensively too weak and never makes decent yardage returns without support. He would however make a fantastic 6 ..... always on his toes at the ruck looking to exploit runs from others or gaps created by forwards, and likely to throw an unexpected move in close play that could be exploited by any decent half back or marauding 2nd rower.



But what do I know? The media have decided he's the worlds greatest fullback, so they must be right!

Have i seen Tomkins have a good game against Wire? Yes i have, we lost both of them, the cup quarters at HJ, SL the game Solomona dropped over the line in the last minute, both times Tomkins had a good game, once at fullback, once at standoff.

I assumed HY was talking about Ratchford...

As nice as it is that we have some talented players, we're going to be eviscerated by the Australians in the World Cup. I'll be supporting the tournament by not sure I can bring myself to support a team which has actual New Zealanders in it.

Quote Horatio Yed="Horatio Yed"Sinfields best performances in an England shirt have been at hooker.'" Agreed, and as you know I've been saying it for ages. Back on topic. Quote Horatio Yed="Wire-in-the-blood"I'd take Briscoe over Charnley (not just because he looks less like a travelling friend). He goes looking for more work off his wing and is a more creative player for setting up others.'" These stats contradict what you are saying. www.superleague.co.uk/stats

Quote Horatio Yed="Horatio Yed"Sinfields best performances in an England shirt have been at hooker.'" Agreed, and as you know I've been saying it for ages. Back on topic. Quote Horatio Yed="Wire-in-the-blood"I'd take Briscoe over Charnley (not just because he looks less like a travelling friend). He goes looking for more work off his wing and is a more creative player for setting up others.'" These stats contradict what you are saying. www.superleague.co.uk/stats

I think you can extend Australians to Australasians.

I agree it's hard to choose, best to decide on a whole season and not just a few good games.

Who would you have at hooker then? Micky Mac OLE OLE OLE?

Houghton has the most rounded skillset.

Surely the game in this country is not in such desperate condition that we have to think about Mickey McIlorum as a contender for the hooker role? Wow.

He is a quality winger Charnley.. there arent many that will catch him when he gets away with ball in hand. he also has a lot of power to go with the pace.... A totally different winger to Monaghan, who offers a different type of finishing.



Its interesting to see that the emergence of Charnley has been the death of Pat Richards, who hasnt scored a try since the magic weekend... im sure alot of that has to do with the fact that he now plays next to Gelling instead of Carmont.... and that Wigan go to Charnleys wing much more often than they do Richards.



For the record... i think Lineham looks like he could be on the real deal. I would have him over Briscoe anyway.

Hall and Charnley have to be the starting wingers for me, Hall in particular when fit stands comparison with most in the world a truly class act. Briscoe is good but seems to have had a season of stasis in a Hull team that's been hot and cold.



Of course you could have Brian Bevan and Billy Boston on the wings but if they aren't getting the service it won't count for much, and that's why the key selections will be at 3, 4, 6 & 7 and thats where my confidence wavers, Sinfield et al.



What I do know is the English pack should be fearsome, with Graham, Benny, Hill, the Burgess lads, etc. etc. and are more than capable of giving us a platform to compete with Australia & NZ ................... but it's what we do and who McNamara picks behind that pack that is the key for me.

You mean you don't think Rangi Chase is going to strike fear into the hearts of Aussies everywhere?!

Once the game had gone last night (after about 5 minutes), I watched it with a specific eye on McIlorum, as I've never understood the hype. Even when they were cakewalking it he still didn't look good to me.



My trouble with Houghton is that almost every pass he makes from DH is forward : you can guarantee he wouldn't get away with that against Aus or NZ. Like it or not, the in-form English hooker is Higham by miles - would take some guts to pick him though.

Double take...

What about chris riley? Eddie hemmings will have a breakdown if he doesnt play.

Except he won't will he.



I remember the server crashing on the Wigan board when Goulding and McIlorum were omitted from the last ETS.

You could hear the hoof beats pound as they raced across the ground,

And the clatter of the wheels as they spun 'round and 'round.

And he galloped into market street, his badge upon his chest,

His name was Ernie, and he drove the fastest milk cart in the west.

Great finisher, awful tattoos.

Very good winger, Charnley, but with the worst haircut in SL.

If Roby isnt available I'd go with Mickey Higham and the Hull Hooker Danny Houghton. (insults in an orderly manner please)



The aussies will go with smith and he'll play as many minutes as possible he'l kick well and will distribute well but he wont scoot from Dummy half. Robbie Farrah and NSW got at Queensland today with some very quick dummy half runs (not neccesarily quick play the balls as they werent that quick today) and at the minute in our league the two best at that are Higham and Houghton we wont be kicking 40/20's andputting dinks into the corner and playing percentage rugby we are not Melbourne Storm..."gerramunskdum" as many a speccie has said. the Burgess boys (sam and George), James Graham and Chrissy Hill smacking em all over the park and two quick scooting hookers...i'm up for this one.....!!!



oh and Charnley over Briscoe.... Briscoe still looks like that kid thats a bit keen and a bit new to the sport he looks awfully confused a lot of the time, plus when tackled he walks a mile off the mark pushing defenders back everytme (with that confused look) which really iritates me... he's got pace, But charnleys got balance and pace.

Sinfield, Lunt or Houghton should be the Hooker for England IMO. Roby's probably not going to be in form, and although I'm a Wiganer, I don't think McIlorum's having his best season.

I'd sooner have Trigger (and he pulled the fastest milk cart in the west) at hooker, than Micky Cack from Wigan. Average at best.



I do like the look of Hull's Houghton, but is he international quality.................sadly, no.





Back on thread, Charnley. Not the best winger I've seen, but, he scores tries like it's going out of fashion. GET HIM PICKED

Why? Eddie (like Stevo) will give praise to ANYONE who's shown form.



Regrettably for Riley, his form this season has barely been good enough for Warrington, let alone any level higher. There's plenty better than him. But you know this, don't you. You still have to come on here and spout 5h1te. Another obsessional pie