smiths 'planning for the future'......... yet picks smith





as for O'Loughlin, maybe wigan fans should take it as a sign that their world beater isn't going to get a game at 13 come the proper international matches

www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 10,00.html Hull winger Tom Briscoe has been called up to replace Sean O'Loughlin after he cracked a bone in his thumb against Wales. Why call up a winger when a forward has been injured? You never know he may call up Burrow if a prop gets injured.

www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 10,00.html Hull winger Tom Briscoe has been called up to replace Sean O'Loughlin after he cracked a bone in his thumb against Wales. Why call up a winger when a forward has been injured? You never know he may call up Burrow if a prop gets injured.

Further proof Tony Smith hasn't a clue.

Bring back Brian Noble

I think Briscoe did enough to impress in the Wales game and Smith wanted him in the squad. We do have plenty of forwards so I don't think it's any more complicated than that.

You did read the quote from Smith?

Good news re Tom Briscoe who outshone Peter Fox last Saturday.



Briscoe and Hall would be my first choice starting wingers.



O'Loughlin played at centre on Saturday so if that was Tony Smith's intention in the four nations it makes sense calling up an outside back as a replacement.



A potential backline of:

Briscoe

Briscoe, Smith, Shenton, Hall

McGuire, Tomkins



looks as good as it's going to get given the personnel available.

Again, I'd be cautious about making any Judgments based upon Saturday's game.



Briscoe looks the part but he's played 11 games for Hull this year and hasn't acheived anywhere near what Fox has at Sl level - yet.



Oh god. You're right. Oh god.

I don't get that last comment at all. Just what has Fox achieved that is massively greater than what Briscoe has?



I am in no doubt that Briscoe is a superior player and by playing in a CC final I would say Briscoe has more experience of the big occasions aswell.

Fox has appeared in the playoffs.

But he did nothing in them.

Both played against the same enthusiastic opposition and Briscoe looked the better International prospect of the two. I thought that was the whole point of Saturday as some kind of Test trial for the non Leeds and St Helens players.



Myler (one pass apart) showed why he would be a huge risk in the four nations after his period of inactivity.

Fox has been a consistent, regular performer in a top 8 team for the last couple of years whereas Briscoe has barely played at SL level, 11 games this year wasn't it? How many the year before?