Maybe a bit early for Joel, but he does add size and speed to the backrow. Plus I'm surprised at how well he's gone since coming back. Still feel there's more to come but he's not looked out of place in the last few matches at all.

Samoan squad should give England a good game. L Ah Mau (St George Illawarra), D Fa'alogo (Newcastle), P Godinet (Wakefield), T Lafai (Canterbury Bulldogs), J Leilua (Newcastle), I Liu (Sydney Roosters), D Lui (Manly), P Manumalealii (Cronulla), M Masoe (St Helens), S Matagi, P Mata'utia (St George Illawarra), R Maitua (Canterbury Bulldogs), T Moga (North Queensland Cowboys), D Peyroux, F Pritchard (Canterbury Bulldogs), B Roberts (Melbourne), T Simona (Wests Tigers), M Sio, K Stanley (St George Illawarra), S Sue (Wests Tigers), S Tagataese (Cronulla), D Vidot (Brisbane), A Winterstein (North Queensland Cowboys).

Cracking player Hodgson and it's good to see him getting his chance. Think Lunt has fell back down the pecking order and could do with a change of club or coach. Houghton initially reminded me a bit of Martin Dermott in his younger days but hasn't really kicked on. Again it might be a coaching/club thing but Hodgson for me is the better fit.

Samoa is a danger game for England, you will have a short preparation of 10 days flying one side of the world to the other and playing a big test match against a massive team.

I'm delighted Sean O'Loughlin is captain. A terrific player and leader

England's chances increase ever so slightly with Thurston being ruled out for Aus.