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Sinkler was going to be dropped

Simmonds never made an impact

Ludlum was a solid player but we have lots of other good flankers, although he did add some bulk

Ribbans was a significant loss, I'll give you that one :)

Arundell and Willis would never have gone if their clubs hadn't gone bust and given another year may have been on central contracts

All in all, I still don't think we're missing much... And if the central contracts had been in place and clubs hadn't gone bust, it's possible none of them would have left anyway except those close to retirement or struggling to get in the team.

There are at least 6 players in France who would be in an England 36 man training squad - Sinkler, Ribbans, Willis, Robson, Marchant, Arundell. Simmonds maybe, same for Ludlum and Farrell. On form Ribbans, Willis and Marchant would be in a 23.

I remember you were calling for Ford to be I the team .

You we're right.

He certainly knows how to finish games off .

Unfortunately both times he came on he finished the game for the opposition .

Marcus had the best stats of ANY player in most things. Also , how did Sleighthome score 4 tries if smith doesn't pass the ball.

You really are being isolated on this one. Apart from the very Welsh guy in the Sunday times who thinks Smith can't kick or tackle.

Jealousy methinks when you watch his welsh side .

Smith will be world class very soon . Just admit it .

Rugby needs superstars and Smith ,Russell ,Olly etc will have biased detractors but I know who I would rather watch between Ford or either Smith.

Selection otherwise not bad .

Who knows if the Boks will be allowed into the 6N - I doubt it, as the pernicious influence of the poms, who are already totally peed off with SA, will probably ensure it doesn't happen.

I'm guessing you're counting Hansen as the fifth? I can see why people count him since he didn't come through the Irish system but he has always been ethnically and legally Irish as well as Australian so I wouldn't put him in the same category as the three Kiwis.

Let's not forget Willis and Arundell then decided to extend deals knowing it would make them ineligable despite having offers to come back to England.

I completely agree it would weaken our league and our national team.