Alex Walmsley, James Roby and Jonny Lomax all in line to play.
England Rugby League Head Coach Wayne Bennett has selected his squad to take on Lebanon in the second game of Group A in the Rugby League World Cup at Allianz Stadium, Sydney on Saturday, November 4.
Sam Burgess is the only change to the starting thirteen, after he was side-lined for three to four weeks with a medial knee ligament injury. He will be replaced in the second row by Ben Currie, who made his England debut against Australia last week after getting a late call up to replace Alex Walmsley who had been suffering from a virus.
Bennett has handed Walmsley a place in the matchday seventeen after Super League’s top metre-maker (4,256m) overcame illness and has now resumed full training.
Lebanon, who are coached by former Australian international and New South Wales representative, Brad Fittler, won their opening fixture against France 29-18.
On the squad, Bennett, said: “We were unfortunate to lose Sam early in the game against Australia but received some good news and we can now possibly get him back sooner than anticipated.
“Apart from Sam, everyone is fit, healthy and good to go against Lebanon. Friday’s result was disappointing but the players have shown they wanted to get straight back into it and we had a great day in hot temperatures on Monday.
“Alex was in the match day squad last week and he was unlucky not to make the field. He’s feeling good again and I want to see what he can offer against Lebanon.”
England:
Jonny Lomax; Jermaine McGillvary, Kallum Watkins, John Bateman, Ryan Hall; Gareth Widdop, Luke Gale; Chris Hill, Josh Hodgson, James Graham, Ben Currie, Elliott Whitehead, Sean O’Loughlin.
Subs: Alex Walmsley, Chris Heighington, Thomas Burgess, James Roby.
Named in 21 man squad: George Williams, Mike McMeeken, Mark Percival, Stefan Ratchford.
