BREAKING NEWS: Bridge to make England debut against New Zealand (From This Is Cheshire)

BREAKING NEWS: Bridge to make England debut against New Zealand

12:47pm Thursday 5th November 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

TONY Smith has made three changes to his backline for England's do-or-die clash with New Zealand at Huddersfield's Galpharm Stadium on Saturday, kick off 3pm.

Chris Bridge is named at right centre in place of Lee Smith, handing the Warrington Wolves star his England debut.

He will partner Hull KR's Peter Fox, who is also set to make his first appearance of the Gillette Four Nations.

Those changes occur on the back of Australia ripping England's right-hand side to shreds at the weekend.

Danny McGuire, who was defending on the right edge, has been replaced by Kyle Eastmond, who gets his first start in his favoured scrum half position for his country.

But that means no recall at scrum half for Wolves new boy Richie Myler, who was dropped last week despite a two-try display that turned England's fortunes around against France in the opening game.

Wolves skipper Adrian Morley continues in the front row and Ben Westwood is again on the bench, but there is still no place in the 17 for the unlucky Garreth Carvell.

The winners of the game will play in the final at Elland Road on November 14, whereas the season will end for the losers.

England: 1 - Shaun Briscoe (Hull KR, Wigan St Patricks), 2 - Peter Fox (Hull Kingston Rovers, York Acorn), 3 - Chris Bridge (Warrington Wolves, Waterhead), 4 - Michael Shenton (Castleford Tigers, Upton), 5 - Ryan Hall (Leeds, Oulton Raiders), 6 – Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks), 7 - Kyle Eastmond (St Helens, Oldham St Annes), 8 - Adrian Morley (Warrington Wolves, Eccles), 9 - James Roby (St Helens, Blackbrook), 10 - James Graham (St Helens, Blackbrook), 11 - Jamie Peacock (Leeds, Stanningley Rangers), 12 - Gareth Ellis (Wests Tigers, Castleford Lock Lane), 13 - Kevin Sinfield (Leeds Rhinos, Waterhead).

Subs: 14 - Sam Burgess (Bradford Bulls, Dewsbury Moor), 15 - Eorl Crabtree (Huddersfield Giants, Huddersfield YMCA), 16 - Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves, Normanton Knights), 17 - Jon Wilkin (St Helens, East Hull).