Warrington Wolves chief Tony Smith excited by potent blend in his England team (From This Is Cheshire)

Warrington Wolves chief Tony Smith excited by potent blend in his England team

5:15pm Wednesday 21st October 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(2)

ENGLAND head coach Tony Smith has expressed his excitement after selecting a team with an average age of just 24 for the opening Gillette Four Nations match against France at Doncaster, on Friday.

Smith has named two teenagers and three other players aged 20 or 21 in a team which features just nine players who were involved in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup campaign.

There are places for 19-year-old duo Kyle Eastmond of St Helens and Tom Briscoe, the Hull FC winger who scored two tries in England’s victory over Wales last Saturday, but no spot for Wigan Warriors stand off Sam Tomkins, who grabbed a hat-trick in Bridgend.

Instead Leeds Rhinos stand off Danny McGuire and Wolves signing Richie Myler reprise the half-back pairing that worked so well in England’s 66-12 victory over France in Paris last June.

“I know if we opted for Sam Tomkins in that position he’d do a good job but we believe the combination of Richie Myler and Danny McGuire is right for this match,” said Wolves chief Smith.

“It’s an exciting squad and a squad we think can do the job for us on Friday night.

“There is some terrific talent in there, a few new faces and some old heads. I’m really pleased by the squad we’ve selected.”

Smith said he was sure Tom Briscoe would build on his strong performance against Wales and voiced his confidence in Kyle Eastmond, who is one of three St Helens players on a strong interchange bench.

“Kyle is comfortable in a lot of positions and he’ll bring versatility from the bench. If we get injuries or somebody is not at their best we know we can introduce Kyle,” said Smith.

“He’s very good at running with the ball and taking the opposition on. I’m looking forward to seeing him in his first game.”

England team to face France:

Shaun Briscoe (age 26); Tom Briscoe (19), Lee Smith (23), Michael Shenton (23), Ryan Hall (21); Danny McGuire (26), Richard Myler (19); Jamie Peacock (31), Scott Moore (21), Adrian Morley (32), Gareth Ellis (28), Sam Burgess (20), Kevin Sinfield (29). Subs: James Graham (24), James Roby (23), Ben Westwood (28), Kyle Eastmond (20).

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(2)