Being a rugby league fan for nearly 30 years, it's been pretty easy to pick Great Britain and England sides. A lot of the time they'd pick themselves as there wasn't much quality to pick from. For a spell we were even shoving stand offs on the wing to cover for a lack of qualit. These days we can pick from the likes of Burgess, Hall, Briscoe, Charnley, Lineham, Makinson etc There's plenty of top quality props too. So just for a bit of fun and banter, pick your 17...not what you think McNamara might go for but what you'd like to see.

1) Hardaker
2) Burgess
3) Watkins
4) Shenton
5) Hall
6) Widdop
7) Brown (I know he is a 6)


Graham
9) Roby
10) Walmsley
11) Greenwood
12) Whitehead
13) Westerman

14) S Tomkins
15) G Burgess
16) T Burgess
17) J Hodgson

1. Tomkins
2. Briscoe
3. Watkins
4. Shenton/Sarginson (can Sarginson find the form from last years internationals)
5. Hall
6. Widdop
7. Smith
8. Graham
9. Roby
10. G Burgess
11. Tomkins
12. Ferres
13. O'Loughlin

14. Hodgson/Clarke
15. Hill
16. T Burgess
17. Whitehead/Farrell

That's how I'd expect McNamara to go.

No way Greenwood will play. He won't even make the squad Imo. I think McNamara will play Hardaker centre with Watkins.

You're absolutely right. That was my heart talking. In reality, I would probably pick Farrell.

I'd love Brown to get in in the halves too, he'd be a nightmare for the Aussies to deal with but I don't think he'd get near either.

Regarding Shenton, how good as he been since leaving Saints? He's thriving on the extra responsibility.

I was lay in bed last night and couldn't sleep hence me starting this thread. I tried to pick the best English players (in form) that I would consider for the squad and disappointingly I could only really pick 4 from Saints (Roby, Walmsley, Percival and Greenwood). I wouldn't let Turner near the England team as he'd get torn to pieces on defence which is a shame as he'd be a handful with the ball.

Hardaker
Burgess
Watkins
Reed
Hall

S Tompkins
Widdop

Walmsley
Roby
Graham
Greenwood
Ablett
Cuthbertson

Hill
G Burgess
Hodgeson
Ferres/S Ward

It'll be interesting to see how he deals with the Hardaker / Tomkins option. He could go with Tomkins#1 and Hardaker #4 or Hardaker #1 and Tomkins #6 and Widdop #7.

My only concern with Brown that he doesn't really do it agsinst the big teams on regular basis. He goes missing agsinst the big clubs but looks a world beater agsinst teams lower down. Maybe playing with better calibre of player at england might change that but for that reason Id leave him out.

I like Brown tho and would be interesting if he can make the step up but I think his time has gone and we need to pick to halves that will hopefully forge a long partnership at international level.

Putting Hardaker at centre would be pointless and, a poor use of his skill set. He's Paul Wellens with speed, a natural one. Tomkins is a natural stand off, always has been and, should've been moved back there already. I'd also think anyone would be mad not to pick Cuthbertson in the side if he's available.

I'd go with:

Hardaker
Burgess
Watkins
Not sure, this position is the most open IMO
Hall
Tomkins
Widdop
Graham
Roby
Hill/G Burgess
Whithead
Tomkins
Cuthbertson

Hodgson
Walmsley
Hill/G Burgess
Ablett/Bateman

If Cuthbertson is available for selection then I agree we should use him and I'd pick him over Westerman whom I picked. I know it doesn't feel right picking Southern Hemisphere players but it's never stopped the Aussies from picking Kiwis/Pacific Islander players.

I don't understand why RL is so touchy about this sort of thing when it happens in all sports.

J.Tomkins and Westerman should be nowhere near the 17. Just from Wigan I'd pick Farrell and Bateman in front of them.

Interchange hooker is a wasted bench spot when you've got Roby. Might as well pick someone like Wilkin who can cover halves, back row and probably hooker too.

Is Cuthberton's defence good enough for an International 13? Always looked a bit dodgy when I've watched Leeds this year. NZ are infinitely better than most SL teams also so he'll get less opportunities to offload.

He's made 700 tackles (12th) with 47 misses (29th). He tends to miss a few when he's tired but, I'd imagine he won't do as many minutes if he plays for England.