ENGLAND have named a 22-man squad rich in experience and potential for the forthcoming CarPlan International Origin Match against the Exiles at Headingley Carnegie Stadium, Leeds, on Friday June 10.
England coach Steve McNamara has kept faith with the core of the squad involved in last year’s Four Nations tournament with 15 players who travelled to Australia and New Zealand included in a group which will go into camp on Sunday evening.
The seven players who did not feature Down Under include Jamie Peacock, the Leeds Rhinos prop and his club captain Kevin Sinfield, both of whom missed the trip through injury, and Huddersfield Giants scrum-half Danny Brough, who is the only uncapped player in McNamara’s squad.
“There are considerably more than 22 players in the Engage Super League whose current form could justify England selection, which testifies to the high standard of the competition,” explained McNamara.
“Even without injured players such as Leon Pryce, Ben Jones Bishop and Ben Harrison and the NRL-based players Gareth Ellis, Sam Burgess and Gareth Widdop, we have been able to select a squad which is both experienced and packed full of potential.
“It’s a very pleasing situation to be in. The best Rugby League teams have competition for places in every position and that’s exactly what we have.
“The depth of talent is starting to look better than it has been for a long, long time and with increasing numbers of high quality players emerging through the ranks at every Super League club it can only get better.”
All 22 players will join the England camp at Loughborough University on Sunday. McNamara will reduce his squad to 18 for the International Origin Match next Wednesday, at which point the four players not involved will re-join their clubs.
England’s 22-man squad:
Ryan Atkins (Warrington Wolves, Stanningley)
Chris Bridge (Warrington Wolves, Waterhead)
Tom Briscoe (Hull FC, Featherstone Lions)
Danny Brough (Huddersfield Giants, Thornhill Trojans)
Garreth Carvell (Warrington Wolves, Stanningley)
Eorl Crabtree (Huddersfield Giants, Huddersfield YMCA)
Leroy Cudjoe (Huddersfield Giants, Newsome Panthers)
James Graham (St Helens, Blackbrook)
Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos, Oulton Raiders)
Jamie Jones-Buchanan (Leeds Rhinos, Stanningley)
Adrian Morley (Warrington Wolves, Eccles)
Richard Myler (Warrington Wolves, Halton West Bank)
Sean O’Loughlin (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Pats)
Jamie Peacock (Leeds Rhinos, Stanningley)
Luke Robinson (Huddersfield Giants, Siddal)
James Roby (St Helens, Blackbrook)
Michael Shenton (St Helens, Upton)
Kevin Sinfield (Leeds Rhinos, Waterhead)
Joel Tomkins (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Pats)
Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Pats)
Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves, Normanton Knights)
Jon Wilkin (St Helens, East Hull)
