England team Vs New Zealand : Tue Oct 06, 2015 12:40 pm  

Now that the regular season is almost over I was looking forward to the upcoming test series and wondering how we will line up in the 1st game. Whilst G Burgess will be a big miss I think this has the potential to be one of the best England teams in my lifetime. For me it would be something like this (with half an eye on the world cup in 2017)

1. Hardaker
2. McGilvary
3. Watkins
4. Reed
5. Hall
6. Widdop
7. Gale
8. Hill
9. Roby
10. Graham
11. Whitehead
12. Bateman
13. Cuthbertson

14. S Tomkins
15. T Burgess
16. Walmsley
17. Currie

The selection of Tomkins may seem an odd one but I can see him being used the way that Leeds have used Burrow over the past few years, coming in at dummy half to run at tired defenders while Roby is spelled or covering 13. There are a lot of quality players who miss out and I think arguments could be made for the likes of Williams, Briscoe, Percival, Amor, Ferres, LMS, Clark, Hodgson, Cooper and many more.

That is just my opinion though and with about a month to go I was wondering what other peoples opinions were. The only place we don't have any serious quality in depth for me is the back row as I don't think Farrell and J Tomkins are international standard.

Re: England team Vs New Zealand : Tue Oct 06, 2015 12:51 pm  

I think you will find that both Hardaker & Roby will not be taking part in the series

Re: England team Vs New Zealand : Tue Oct 06, 2015 1:36 pm  

son of headingley wrote:

I think you will find that both Hardaker & Roby will not be taking part in the series

There's whispers over Reed and Walmsley not being fit either.

Re: England team Vs New Zealand : Tue Oct 06, 2015 1:45 pm  

Sam Tomkins could be out as well.

Re: England team Vs New Zealand : Tue Oct 06, 2015 1:51 pm  

Although they would all big big losses, the quality of player coming in for these guys proves we have far more depth than years gone by.Clark or Hodgson for Roby.Shenton,Sarginson or Cudjoe for Reed.And we have a conveyor belt of very good front rowers waiting for a shot.Obviously Tomkins to FB if Hardaker doesn't make it.I would still think we have a good chance even if all 4 of those names were not to make the squad.

Re: England team Vs New Zealand : Tue Oct 06, 2015 1:52 pm  

With no Warea-Hargreaves, Vatuvei, Leuluia, Benji Marshall and most importantly Shaun Johnson NZ are likely to be a lot weaker too. I think there is also a doubt about Kieran Foran. Be interesting to see who will play half back. The pack will be strong though with Mannering, Taupau, Bromwich, Proctor, Luke and Moa likely to play.

Re: England team Vs New Zealand : Tue Oct 06, 2015 2:00 pm  

Aboveusonlypie wrote:

With no Warea-Hargreaves, Vatuvei, Leuluia, Benji Marshall and most importantly Shaun Johnson NZ are likely to be a lot weaker too. I think there is also a doubt about Kieran Foran. Be interesting to see who will play half back. The pack will be strong though with Mannering, Taupau, Bromwich, Proctor, Luke and Moa likely to play.

Foran and Mannering are definitely out.

Re: England team Vs New Zealand : Tue Oct 06, 2015 2:15 pm  

Joe Burgess should be in this team - McGilvary has been a class act and should definitely be in the squad but I do think we should go with Hall and Burgess as our two wingers .

Re: England team Vs New Zealand : Tue Oct 06, 2015 4:19 pm  

With all those injuries maybe the RFL could arrange to sign a top RU international - maybe one of those big guys who played prop at Twickers could boost our chances - maybe to fill in a full back or to use his defensive and offensive prowess at centre?

Re: England team Vs New Zealand : Tue Oct 06, 2015 4:21 pm  

What the RFL should do is offer free entry to the Olympic Stadium match to Union fans who provide an unused ticket for Saturday's game. I am being serious here - allow them to cut their losses, Farrell's boys to play in front of a paltry crowd and England RL to get a good crowd!