What would your England team be at this stage of the season based on form and and proven ability? Burgess won't be around and Sinfield is likely to be captain. Not a lot of changes for me from the world cup; just Makinson and Shenton who have started the season on fire. I have probably missed some players who have made a strong start to the year.

1. Tomkins
2. Makinson
3. Shenton
4. Watkins
5. Hall
6. Widdop
7. Sinfield
8. Graham
9. Roby
10. G. Burgess
11. Ferres
12. Ablett
13. O'Loughlin

14. Burrow
15. Hill
16. Westwood
17. Amor/Walmsley

From Cas this season

Shenton
Daz Clark
Huby

1. - Lomax
2. - Briscoe
3. - Watkins
4. - Reed
5. - Hall
6. - Widdop
7. - Tomkins
8. - Graham
9. - Roby
10. - G Burgess
11. - Westwood
12. - Farrell
13. - O'Loughlin

14. - Hill
15. - Walmsley
16. - Hock (maybe)
17. - M Smith / Burrows

ferres hasn't found the form he had last year as yet, whether his enforced lay off will have an affect on him remains to be seen.
if you are picking players on form then ferres wouldn't be in for me.

I suspect McNamara would go for the same. Only a fool would say that no players from the team currently second in the table would be worthy of international recognition.

Even as a Leeds fan I've got to say no to having Burrow on the bench as your back-up hooker. Rather someone like Lunt or Clark got a shot.

Wingers we look pretty strong in depth, Hall, Briscoe, Charnley, Makinson. Also when he returns from injury I'm a fan of Lineham and Burgess at Wigan is coming along nicely but probably too soon to be selected this season end with the other options available.

With the options of Lomax and Hardaker (depending on his relationship with McNamara) at FB will Tomkins be used as a halve?

Props we look good in even with the loss of Sam Burgess with the two at Saints coming along really well in addition to Graham, George Burgess and Hill.

O'Loughlin is a nailed on for Loose, but his issues with injuries is a worry.

As I mentioned a few months ago, the second row is a worry, a few really good SL level players but ones capable of facing Aus & NZ? I'm not sure.

Lomax
Briscoe Watkins Shenton Charnley
Tomkins Widdop
Graham Roby Burgess (G)
Whitehead Ferres
O'Loughlin

Lunt Ablett Hill Walmsley

I actually feel like were a lot stronger in a lot of areas than we have been in a long time - second row is a real struggle, but virtually everywhere else we have options. The more choices the better.

1. Tomkins/Hardaker
2. Briscoe/Makinson
3. Watkins
4. Reed
5. Hall
6. Sinfield
7. Lomax
8. Burgess, G
9. Roby
10. Graham
11. Farrell
12. Ablett
13. O'Loughlin

14. Widdop
15. Hill
16. Westwood
17. Walmsley

Gotta laugh at whoever doesn't pick Daz Clark.

Ironic really, considering the back row has normally always been our strong area during the SL years.

If they keep on performing at the level they are currently, J Burgess & Bateman could both be in with a shout at making the squad.

From Saints, their opening front row of Amor, Roby and Walmsley are probably their strongest asset.

Lomax is a great player, but has a lot of competition for one shirt. I'd perhaps say the advantage he has is he's the best cleaning up kicks.

Swift and Makinson will miss out to established wingers, which I'd probably agree with.

IF he can get back on the pitch and Saints can get back on track, then Mark Percival [imay[/i well make a real claim before the end of the season.