McMeekan? Our second rowers have been criticised for being too small for the last few years.

Eden has surpassed most people's expectations no doubt, but there are still better wingers than him in SL, players who have done well playing for England.



I'd have Mcgillvary, Hall, Makinson and Burgess in front of him.



Gale and Hardaker should be two of the first names in the 13, I'd also have McMeeken and Shenton in the squad, but there is tough competition in the backrow with the likes of Currie, Whitehead, Burgess, Farrell and Bateman. Maybe it's better long term to play Watkins and Percival in the centres.



My 17 would be



Hardraker

Hall

Watkins

Percival

Mcgillvary

Widdop

Gale

Graham

Hodgson

Hill

Bateman

Whitehead

Burgess



Walmsley

Watts

Williams

Currie/Farell/McMeeken

Wrt to centres (and wingers) it won't even matter who we pick there if we play like we did in last years internationals. The three quarters barely saw any ball in the opposition half. The idea that a left wing of Shenton and Eden would be able to replicate their Cas form under the tactics of Wayne Bennett is far fetched.

The idea that they could replicate Cas form against an Australia defence is far fetched, regardless of the coach.



Just on kick returns, that was one of the worst things about Eden in his few games for the Broncos. He looked like he'd lose the ball in collision almost every time and regularly got smashed. Utter nonsense to suggest at international level his kick returns would be anywhere near as good as Hall (or McGilvary). Its one of Hall's major strengths - he's strong enough to take the contact and not get picked up and pushed back 10 yards after contact.



It was a major failing in Joe Burgess' early games for the Roosters as well. He became a target for kicks because he went into contact far too upright, and allowed defenders to hold him up and run him backwards. By the end of the year he was making sure in the same position he was getting to the ground.

McMeekan would be in my squad, but Bateman and is ahead of him on quality (as is Currie in my opinion), and NRL experience/bias will have Whitehead above them all.

Are Bateman and McMeeken better options at 2nd row than Sean O'loughlin?



I expect all 3 to be in the World Cup squad.

I expect this to be O'loughlin swansong at international level, but he would be in my pack for this WC. I think him at lock with Sam Burgess and Mcmeekan / Whitehead in the back row is how i would go... i know it will rile certain Wigan fans, but size is needed against huge Aussie- Kiwi packs and Bateman and Farrell are both excellent players but too small for me. I would have both in the squad though.

I think Stevie Ward has a shot at being included. Bennett seems to be fan and called him into last years squad to have a look at him even though he had no plans to play him because he'd only just returned from injury.

As a Wigan fan this is exactly how I would go. Having O'Loughlin at loose gives you an extra pivot because of the way he plays and would be wasted anywhere else. Either play him at 13 or don't play him at all. Burgess and Whitehead or McMeeken at second row too.

I was appalled Farrell didn't make the mid season test team considering we were shy of Bateman and Currie due to injury but unless he's played for the full 80 mins, it's worthless considering him. It's his consistent level of performance and his fitness levels over 80 minutes which make him such a force at superleague level but he won't make an impact playing for 20 and 30 minutes a game against Australia or New Zealand. With that in mind I'd leave him out.



The backrowers I'd take are Lockers, Whitehead, Bateman, Currie and McMeekan in that order with the option of Sam Burgess slotting in there if needed.

I expect Stevie Ward will be in the squad. He has also covered centre a few times and could do for England if we pick up injuries.

I expect the squad to look something like.

Hardraker

Hall

Watkins

Percival

Mcgillvary

Widdop

Gale

Graham

Hodgson

Hill

S Burgess

Whitehead

O'loughlin



Clark

Walmsley

G Burgess

Ward



Roby

Williams

Currie

McMeeken

Tomkins

Shenton

T Burgess