Wayne Bennett has stuck to his promise of utilising players who have not played for a number of weeks after naming an England squad which includes six uncapped players for Saturday’s Test against France.
Bennett, who takes charge of England for the first time in their only warmup game before the Four Nations, had said he would aim to leave out the seven players who played in the Super League Grand Final between Wigan and Warrington a fortnight ago. Only three of that contingent are included in his 19-man squad: Wigan’s Liam Farrell and the Warrington duo of Daryl Clark and Stefan Ratchford.
Bennett said that in all probability he will use a three-man interchange bench if possible to reduce the workload on those players whose seasons finished later than the rest, meaning all three are unlikely to play.
“The guys from Warrington and Wigan probably won’t play – everyone else needs the games,” Bennett said. “They have had more games than probably everyone else, so another week won’t hurt them being out. I will sit one of them on the bench but will probably not play him if I don’t have to.”
The St Helens players Jonny Lomax and Mark Percival are included for the first time and are expected to start in a new-look backline. Castleford’s Luke Gale will also win his first cap at half-back, probably alongside the St George stand-off Gareth Widdop.
Hull’s Scott Taylor will also make his debut, with the other debutant, Ratchford, likely to miss out as Bennett opts to rest the 28-year-old. Leeds’ Stevie Ward, who was drafted into the 24-man squad this week after his club-mate Brett Ferres was ruled out because of injury, is the sixth potential debutant: he will likely start in the back row.
James Graham will captain the side in the absence of Sam Burgess – the first time Bennett’s new vice-captain will lead the side in six years. Burgess is serving a one-match suspension carried over from the conclusion of the NRL season, meaning he will be available for England’s Four Nations opener against New Zealand at Huddersfield on Saturday 29 October .
“The players have trained well all week and are looking forward to the trip to France,” Bennett said. “There’s plenty of competition for places in this squad and it’s good to see a few new faces in there possibly having a run out in Avignon.
“The week leading into this game has been good and the training facilities in London at the Honourable Artillery Company have been outstanding.
“France are a passionate team and will have plenty of support behind them. There’s talent in their side and some Super League experience so we know what to expect. As the away side, it’s the kind of environment I want my side to be challenged in.”
England squad v France
Brown (Widnes), G Burgess, T Burgess (both South Sydney), Clark (Warrington), Cooper (St George), Farrell (Wigan), Gale (Castleford), Graham (Canterbury), Hall (Leeds), Hodgson (Canberra), Lomax (St Helens), McGillvary (Huddersfield), Percival (St Helens), Ratchford (Warrington), Taylor (Hull FC), Ward, Watkins (both Leeds), Whitehead (Canberra), Widdop (St George)
