England 'Elite' Squad?

[CherryPie]

I was looking at the current Elite Squad and I have to say it didn't fill me with much confidence ahead of the Exiles games. A lot of the players in that squad are out of form, having injuries or just plain past it.

The squad at the moment is...

Sam Tomkins
Tom Briscoe
Josh Charnley
Ryan Hall
Ben Jones-Bishop - Out of favour at Leeds, can't really be included on form.
Chris Bridge
Leroy Cudjoe - Anyone know how well he's been playing?
Zak Hardaker - He seems very hit and miss when I've seen him.
Kallum Watkins - Always injured so I'm guessing he won't play.
Kris Welham - Absolutely awful defensively. Shouldn't be in the squad.
Kirk Yeaman - Has he been injured? Shouldn't be included.
Rangi Chase - Not really on form but will probably be picked.
Danny McGuire - He's doing alright, but he wasn't good enough at his best.
Kevin Sinfield - Where does he fit in these days?
Danny Brough - Probably first choice, but his form has dipped a little in recent weeks.
Jonny Lomax - Hit and miss. Defensively weak. We need young halves though.
Ryan Bailey - Has good moments but can't say he's been very consistent.
Garreth Carvell - Not been too impressive this year.
Eorl Crabtree
Adrian Morley - Past his best?
Lee Mossop
Jamie Peacock - Same as Morley? Still a good workhorse forward though.
Rob Burrow - Where would he play? Not a hooker although might be used for impact. Don't think he should be included though.
Ian Henderson
Michael McIlorum
James Roby
Gareth Hock
Jamie Jones-Buchanan - Tried and tested, but has he offered much? Is someone else worth a go?
Ben Westwood
Jon Wilkin - Same as JJB.
Carl Ablett - Seems like a good hard worker and is still fairly young.
Sean O'Loughlin

I can't say that's a squad that fills me with confidence. In the back row I think players like JJB and Wilkin have had their day. If O'Loughlin gets picked and doesn't perform well I might even include him in that list although he's the form player in his position.

A lot of the Leeds players aren't in sparkling form but maybe they'd do better in a slightly stronger side, although I'm not convinced how much 'stronger' it is.

[jools]

Cudjoe has had a very ordinary season cherry. He won't get picked.

[CherryPie]

So that's one centre currently in the squad who might be good enough (Bridge) although I haven't really seen that much of him. McNamara MUST include Ryan Atkins now given that a few of the current inclusions at centre are out injured or out of form. And if Darrell Goulding hasn't played his way into the Elite Squad then I'll be utterly amazed.

[Farmduck]

I'm surprised at how non-threatening the forwards look. Considering that, I'd question how many minutes you'll get out of JP and Morley - if it's less than 80 between them then they're a real luxury.

[CherryPie]

I don't really think JP or Morley should even be included. I don't think their form warrants inclusion and I don't think you can justify overlooking an in form player simply because the captain is one of those who isn't playing well enough.

If both of those players are considered among the best available props for the World Cup next year then we should give up on this whole rugby league lark altogether.

[Farmduck]

One of the luxuries we have down here is that, even if some players aren't in the best form we at least know that they have delivered in the past, fo AUS. NZ, NSW or Qld. Ricky Stuart was able to confidently pick T-Rex, Hayne, Jennings and Greg Bird despite their recent absence or less-than-stellar form.

When I look at that Elite list I only see Tompkins, Hall, Hock and Westwood who've really done the job. I know players like McGuire and Roby stand out in SL but the problem is, how many times have they really stood out against OZ? I assume this Exiles team will be based around Finch and Leuluai and probably should be stronger than last year's team. McNamara maybe should have had the U25s play France first to get a look at some younger players.

[CherryPie]

I agree with all of that. The Origin series certainly helps when it comes to picking the international side and it seems the Aussies don't necessarily pick the team on form because if there's a tried and tested combination but one of those players might not be the best in their position they'd still go for that combination because it's worked before.

The England side seems to be in a pretty poor position right now with players who weren't good enough at their peak still being included now even though they are getting much older and their form isn't as good. The obvious replacements for players like Morley and Peacock just aren't there right now.

Ellis is a quality player but is now in his early 30's and that obvious progression towards a similarly talented player in his mid 20's just isn't there. There seems to be a massive gap in talent. The next bunch of players in the back row who I think could become world class players are the likes of John Bateman and Ben Currie and they are in the England Academy Under 18's!

The back row in the Knights squad is -

Chris Clarkson
Dale Ferguson
Mark Flanagan
Elliott Whitehead
Liam Farrell

The only stand out players from that bunch are Whitehead, who has done alright at Bradford and should probably make the full squad ahead of players like Wilkin or JJB, but who probably isn't likely to become a top class player, and Liam Farrell who is a quality player but has a few faults in his game but should get more game time now with the absence of Hansen at Wigan.

Clarkson seems average and definitely not international class, I can't say much about Ferguson and Flanagan has been a bit disappointing at Saints.

[Cheese]

liam farrell has been a stand out this year surely??

[CherryPie]

Farrell has been pretty good but he's had one or two unspectacular performances too, although they were probably due to him not getting much time on the pitch because Hock and Hansen can play 60-80 per game.

I think Farrell should make the England squad though. I mean he's likely to be a player who steps up eventually and while he's far from perfect he's as good as if not better than a few of the older back row forwards in and around the Elite Squad right now.

He possibly lacks a bit of aggression in the tackle though so he can lose the collision, but it's something he's working on. He might not be big for a forward but his footwork is fantastic and he's deceptively powerful. England needs the Ginger Pearl!

[jools]

You missed mike Lawrence off that list.