Well, it's the team I've put together from their squad





Matt Moylan has been called up to their squad to replace Hayne, but I imagine Inglis will feature at 1, against us/NZ atleast.

Moylan I really rate. I was surprised he wasn't picked in the first place.



That Aussie team is still very strong but if there is a weakness it's up front. Not sure they've got enough big props in that squad. Klemmer is a big lad but plays short periods for Canterbury. Parker can be dominated by bigger forwards. It's a lot of responsibility on Woods.



The Samoa team will be tough but they're lacking halfbacks.



NZ look very good.

GB and England have always struggled when Australia move the ball around. Sheens has no intention of trying to match either England or NZ for hard yards up the middle - he's gone for mobility which suggests they'll just try to go round the defence. Our backs aren't as impressive as Australia, even without Hayne, and I think Australia can score a shedload.



With Burgess and Roby I think England could have given NZ a hell of a game. I just can't see us scoring enough points against Australia though.

The Burgess twins will be crashing up the middle, and James Graham will be making lots of yards, giving Widdop and his halves partner plenty of time to put Watkins, Shenton, and Whitehead through gaps out wide. England will score quite a few tries against Australia. The question is whether the English defense can hold against the fleet footed Michael Jennings and others.

England's defence has not 'held' in recent memory when Australia move the ball around. Just because you can make dents up the middle doesn't mean you can score for fun either.



As ever I hope I'm wrong, but it's been a long time since I watched GB/England vs Australia and actually thought we had a chance.

The key for England is to control field position.



If the forwards can make good yards up the middle and the halves kick well, then if Australia want to go around rather than through they will have to do it from deep and risk turning the ball over near their own line. Australia are significantly weaker at half-back IMO with DCE rather than Thurston.



Too often in the past England have kicked straight down Slater's throat and given Australia breathing space away from their own line to play a more expansive game. Back them up into the shadow of their own posts, compress in the middle of the field and make them take risks to beat you.

I don't disagree with the tactic, but I do question how potent England will be, even with the big boppers making hay.

I think the big key for us is belief. I've not watched an England side play with any against the Aussies for a long time. I look at the sides on paper for this tournament and whilst guys like Inglis and Smith ensure they probably sit that bit above us the rest of their team doesn't hold it's usual fear factor. If the lads get in to them and aren't afraid to chance their arm now and again we have a chance of getting over them.



The same applies to the Kiwi game. They really aren't all that and we should be looking to win that game. There should be no fear factor about playing the Kiwis at all.

I admire you optimism but I think it is misplaced - we need to score plenty to beat either Australia or NZ because both will score plenty against us - not sure we have the quality in the backs to break either of the two sides down. We haven't got a real quality half back who can control and dictate play that is a huge issue for me.



On Samoa - if we cannot beat them there are so real questions that need answering. It is a squad of pretty average NRL players that neither Australia nor NZ wanted to claim.

Even though Australia have Thurston, Slater and Hayne not available we will still need to be at our very best to beat Australia. The likes of Moylan, Mansoor, Walker and Johnstone still have the quality and could be the future stars for them. They have a lot of young players with a point to prove.

If we cant beat a 2nd string Kangaroo squad with a 3rd string pack then the english game really is in dire trouble.

Don't get me wrong I know it's one heck of a challenge still. I just want to see us compete and really throw everything in to it. They're both top sides but not as strong as they could be and that should instill some optimisim in the players most importantly.



I just don't want to see us play like rabbits caught in headlights like we've done at times in the past.