First there was England's best forward, Sam Burgess defection to the bigger code. Then Sir Kevin, England's best half back in a generations retirement. And the third blow to England's four nations hopes is the injury to jumping Jack Reed. Taking this into account, 2nd place would be a massive achievement this year and the best anyone can hope for.

Looking at the players available, I would reluctantly include matty smith, as without him England will be seriously lacking a kicking game. The squad I think England should go with is as follows.

Tomkins
Hardaker
Watkins
Shenton
Hall
Widdop
Smith
G Burgess
Roby
Graham
Westwood
Ferres
O'Loughlin

Clark
Hill
JJB
Whitehead

Huby
Ablett
Cudjoe
J Burgess
T Burgess
Burrow
Briscoe
McIlorum
Ratchford

What nationality is Brough these days? He still pretending to be a sweaty?

He's always been British.

England is just a brand name.

Whilst he obviously plays FB for the Warriors, I'd like to see Tomkins form a partnership with Widdop in the halves, with Hardaker at FB. For me, Hardaker is a much better defensive full back than Tomkins.

I don't think Brough should be near the England team simply because I don't think he has the temperament for games against the Australians. Some of his dummy spits in SL this season would have made Lee Briers cringe. I'd sooner have Tomkins at 6/7 than I would Brough.

Doesn't matter what team we pick it will get beat by the Aussies beat and get beat by new Zealand in equal measure and easily beat every other country who plays RL in the same way it's gone on for decades

Doesn't matter what team we pick it will get beat by the Aussies beat and get beat by new Zealand in equal measure and easily beat every other country who plays RL in the same way it's gone on for decades

Yep me too. I'd go for:

1. Hardaker
2. Makinson/Briscoe/Charnley
3. Watkins
4. Shenton
5. Hall
6. Tomkins
7. Widdop
8. Graham (C)
9. Roby
10. Hill
11. Westwood
12. Ferres
13. O'Loughlin

14. Clark
15. Burgess G
16. Huby
17. Whitehead

All three Burgess' should be in the starting 17, as should any other NRL player who makes the squad. To beat the Aussies we need players out there who compete with them every week.

Nope.we have very good props in SL, a few which are better than L Burgess imo.Would maybe have Tom on the bench.

Our back row looks to pick itself simply because we have no quality depth in that area right now and we will probably be found out there.

Agree. Just because they play in the NRL doesn't automatically make them better than others.

I wouldn't have Luke or Tom Burgess ahead of Hill and it's a bit of a 50/50 between T Burgess and Huby on the bench.

I've put G Burgess on the bench because I think he'd offer more impact off the bench than Hill would.

Wait a minute, when did Kevin Sinfield get knighted?

It's not a case of who is the better player, it's a case of mentality and psychology. Most of the England team are weaker than their Aussie counterparts if you go through (any variation of) the team man-for-man, let's at least put lads out there who are familiar with beating the Aussies and who know how to do it.