I'm really disappointed in that squad.



I, like others, think the back row is very weak. Farrell deserves his spot, hes a cracking player. Westerman has had a good season but is no where near international standard and will be found out, no doubt about that. Tomkins, well thats a massive joke. Firstly stunned that he was chosen over Carl Ablett, a player that is on the same level as Farrell imo. But then to be chosen over Whitehead is baffling.



Then the Halves/Full back. Matty Smith will go missing, no doubt about it. Versus Samoa, the weakest side we will face (but not necessary easiest) was the match to play Hardakre at Full Back and Sam Tomkins in the halves. Its a mouthwatering combo. McNamara has played it safe with his halves and FB selection. Safe is going to equal average.

I can only echo what others have said ............. I suspect, apart from O'Loughlin, this is what McNamara considers his first choice team.



To me (and everyone else) the back row looks weak, I'd have played Whitehead. I guess it exposes how much we miss Sam Burgess, and the stupid decision not to take Carl Ablett.



I understand why he's chosen Smith at half back, to provide a structured kicking game, but I wonder if moving Sam Tomkins there and playing Hardaker would have been a brave but worthwhile gamble.

As you say Westerman has had a good season and fully deserves this. He certainly won't get "found out" against Samoa. If he is still in there for next week then we shall see, but I've watched him week in week out and I'm sure he will hold his own against anyone. I just hope McNamara tells him to play the way he has for Hull and doesn't just use him as a battering ram up the middle. He can perform that role if needed. But it's not his game.



Shouldn't be Farrell and Whitehead in the second row though, with Ablett on the bench. Picking Joel is a crazy decision.

Think we all thought Ferres, Whitehead, O'Loughlin as the back row from the squad - maybe he is ensuring they are available for the games coming up? Maybe the conditions dictate a more mobile back row ?



We will know late morning on Saturday anyway.

Has Westermans defence improved that much in one year that you wouldn't be worried about it?

I personally would have put Graham at 13.

Riiiiiiight

Was Ablett just not selected then? I thought he was one of the injured players who made themselves unavailable for selection?

The RFL have obviously offered Joel Tomkins some kind of deal to be part of the England set up, for him to be drafted straight back into the team after only a few months back in RL!

If we are playing a running game, Farrel and Tokins offer a lot as both are fast and good ball handlers.

Problem is, Samoa will play a 'break everything in front of them' game and I fear these two will be broken first



The front row will be good for us. The back row needs to step up.

Westerman has never been a bad defender. His issue is the past was going for big hits rather than just making the tackles. Whether it's because of the new rules or just a different approach he doesn't seem to be doing that so much.



All we really have to go on here are stats. I've omitted Tomkins because this is regular season and he played and contributed so little it's barely worth bothering.



Westerman:

Games Played: 27

Tackles made: 916

Tackles missed: 70

% made: 92.5



O'Loughlin

Games Played: 17

Tackles Made: 480

Tackles Missed: 34

% made: 92.9



Farrell

Games Played: 21

Tackles Made: 579

Tackles Missed: 12

% made: 97.9



Ablett

Games Played: 23

Tackles Made: 660

Tackles Missed: 59

% made: 91.1



Whitehead

Games Played: 24

Tackles Made: 768

Tackles missed: 67

% made: 91.3



Ferres

Games played: 21

Tackles Made: 471

Missed Tackles: 33

% made: 93



So compared to all the other backrow candidates. His workrate is the best of them all and his number of misses is more than comparable.



Farrells stats are hugely impressive btw. 12 misses across a full season is ridiculous.

England must defeat Samoa, otherwise they won't win anything else.



I was hoping that McNamara might have become wiser as a result of a season living in Sydney. Apparently not.

It is when SL stats say he missed 102.

looking forward to seeing how the new combinations work



hodgson and clarke interchanging at hooker



smith and widdop half backs



tomkins keeps his place at full back



will be good to see some international RL again this saturday!