Sam Tomkins has insisted he will be fit for England’s Test series against New Zealand despite being ruled out of their one-off Test against France this weekend through injury.
It is almost two months since Tomkins’ last match because of an ongoing knee problem, and the England head coach Steve McNamara left him out of his squad for Saturday’s game at Leigh after he failed to overcome the issue.
But Tomkins allayed fears over his availability for the three-match series against the New Zealand, saying he could have played this weekend if pushed. “The knee’s all right, it just wasn’t quite ready,” Tomkins said. “I didn’t get the chance to train with the team too much because I was finishing off bits of rehab which is why the decision was made.
“It wasn’t the right time to play and next week I know I can go into a full week of training with the boys and I’ll be ready. I’m not far off full fitness at all; if it was the Kiwis game this week I could have got ready for selection, but it just wasn’t worth the risk.”
McNamara also said Tomkins will be fit for the first Test against New Zealand at Hull on Sunday week, but admitted he’s excited to see what Tomkins’ rival for the full-back berth, Leeds’ Zak Hardaker, can do against France.
“Sam will be absolutely fine for next week,” McNamara said. “He’s training really well, and the decision was made early by us all to ensure he’s 100% fit for the New Zealand series.
“I’m excited to see Zak play this weekend. He’s had a tremendous season which has been well documented all year. He’s the current Man of Steel, and to win that is no mean feat. He’s had a fantastic year for Leeds and he gets his opportunity this weekend.”
The full-back berth is one of several tough team selections McNamara has to make, epitomised by the fact the Wigan half-back Matty Smith – England’s first choice scrum-half for last year’s Four Nations – has not been selected this weekend. Tomkins however, has welcomed the extra competition and says it can only be a positive thing for the national side moving forward.
“It’s good we’re in a position where Steve has got these headaches to make with me and Zak being in the squad,” he said. “People will be missing out all over the field too, and although it’s a headache for Steve, it’s a good one to have.
“The depth we’ve got is great for the country now; younger lads like George Williams and John Bateman are hugely talented, and it will make a real difference for us in the years to come.”
