He knows it's the only win he's getting...

Presumably taking it in a three-way with Brian Noble and Tony Smith, given the preceding two coaches tendencies to see something in Wilkin that the majority of fans simply don't.



He's not destructive enough with the ball or in defence to be a second rower. He's not clever enough to operate as a ball-player at 13.



He's exactly the sort of "jack of all trades, master of none" player that SL sides like in these days of a salary capped sport.

I'd guess steady & unspectacular, rather than hot & cold / unproven is the mantra that the England coaches over the years have adopted. I agree with above though, that the France game is the game to try new options. The likes of Bailey, Ablett, Cudjoe should be given an opportunity to show what they offer

Sure we can beat the welsh as well!

Playing a LF at 6 is nothing new either. With Sinfield he already has one player who can comfortably interchange. Ellis can switch back, though I wouldn't want him up against Inglis. Wilkin will be his usual flat track bully against an outclassed French team.

Again a perfect opportunity to see what the "new lads" and some of those without a game for a few weeks could offer is ignored.

As it's the one and only hit-out before the real stuff begins I'd have thought it's entirely logical to go with your intended selection for game one rather than experimenting too much.



Personally I wouldn't have opted for that bench and would be extra worried if it looks similar to that come the serious encounters.

Heighington is a loose forward in the mould of our very own Chris Clarkson.

Agreed. Perfect opportunity to let everyone get to know each other before the real games.

Except an Australian version.. Oh wait...

I can see yer point but lets not forget we have to play Wales first and with the greatest respect that will be another "warm up/none event".

So bearing that in mind i'd rather see what the likes of Ablett and Cudjoe for e.g can offer now rather than get caught out and have to throw them straight in against the Kiwis and Aussies.

Sorry, this is not the way to do it. You need your strongest side out to get to know each other. Let's be clear what a "squad" is all about. It's not about giving everyone a game like a bunch of juniors on a club tour. The squad is there in case your first team choices get injured or lose form badly.



So, if Wales is a "non-event" what possible information can you get from how Ablett or Cudjoe perform compared to how they have played in far more competitive games for their clubs all season?

It is a warm up, so let's use it to actually warm up the players who are going to play the following week rather than those who will be fetching the water and kicking tee on.