It’s time for Tomkins to stand and deliver in England’s cause

There is the usual pessimism ahead of the Gillette Four Nations, with most expecting holders New Zealand and Australia, even given injury issues, to again battle it out when the tournament culminates at Elland Road on November 19.

But England coach McNamara, quickly handed a lesson in international football with last year’s sobering experience Down Under, cannot be accused of conservatism.

In their friendly against France on Friday, he is set to hand debuts to a New Zealand Maori, an Australian and another untried player who, while English-born, was still a toddler when he emigrated to Queensland.

If you cannot beat them, nick them, seems to be the mantra.

But the determined Yorkshireman is adamant that Castleford’s Rangi Chase, Wests Tigers’ Chris Heighington and Brisbane Broncos’ Jack Reed are individuals who will enhance his squad’s chances of succeeding for the first time since 1972.

He intends to pick his strongest side at Agvignon on Friday, ahead of the Four Nations opener with Wales the following Saturday and then the looming challenges of Australia and New Zealand.

Looking at his 24-man squad, it is safe to say his first-choice 17 look strong enough to compete.

It always does. The crux of the matter is actually performing when it matters and it will be intriguing to see which selection he opts for to attain that goal.

An experienced pack containing Jamie Peacock, James Graham, James Roby and Gareth Ellis will contend with all-comers even if Adrian Morley does show sluggish signs after the eye injury which sidelined him for much of the latter part of this campaign.

But McNamara’s half-back selection is vital. Chase will play and rightly so but will that be at six or seven? McNamara could put him alongside Kevin Sinfield in a well-balanced pairing or he may utilise the Leeds captain and his kicking game from loose-forward given Sean O’Loughlin’s withdrawal through injury.

That could see Gareth Widdop – after just one year as a stand-off in the NRL, all be it in stellar company at Melbourne Storm – put in charge of directions, or Rhinos’ Danny McGuire may be given the nod.

The Leeds scrum-half has finished the season in top form after his fightback from a serious knee injury and knows Sinfield’s game inside out.

Perhaps the one notable omission – especially given Rob Burrow’s unavailability – is Huddersfield hooker Luke Robinson who made such an impact last year; leaving out such flair may later haunt McNamara.

It means added emphasis on the mesmeric Chase’s shoulders, the newly-crowned Man of Steel, but perhaps the player who needs to perform more than any is the one he edged for the award – Sam Tomkins.

After a subdued Four Nations in 2010, now is the time for the electric Wigan Warriors full-back to show everyone what all the fuss is about.

If he can reproduce his Super League form on the biggest stage, McNamara’s bold new England have a decent chance.