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England name 24-man squad for Baskerville Shield

Gareth Widdop makes a break. (AP Photo/NZPA, Ross Setford)
Roar Guru
12th October, 2015
11

England have named their 24-man squad ahead of the Baskerville Shield against New Zealand and their one-off Test against France.

Steve McNamara’s side boasts a mixture of youth and experience with the majority of his squad being chosen on the grounds of form, as opposed to reputation.

John Bateman (Wigan Warriors), Joe Burgess (Wigan Warriors), Mike Cooper (St George Illawarra Dragons), Leroy Cudjoe (Huddersfield Giants), Ben Currie (Warrington), Liam Farrell (Wigan Warriors), Brett Ferres (Huddersfield Giants), Luke Gale (Castleford Tigers), James Graham (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos), Zak Hardaker (Leeds Rhinos), Chris Hill (Warrington Wolves), Josh Hodgson (Canberra Raiders), Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield Giants), Sean O’Loughlin (Wigan Warriors), James Roby (St Helens), Matty Smith (Wigan Warriors), Sam Tomkins (New Zealand Warriors), Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos), Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves), Elliot Whitehead (Catalans Dragons), Gareth Widdop (St George Illawarra Dragons), George Williams (Wigan Warriors

In the squad are seven debutants: John Bateman, Joe Burgess, Mike Cooper, Ben Currie, Luke Gale, Jermaine McGillvary and George Williams.

England face a tough task from the Kiwis who will travel to the UK without star players Kieran Foran, Simon Mannering, Jason Taumalolo and Shaun Johnson.

McNamara will hope his team reflect English rugby league as a whole after a scintillating domestic season ended over the weekend with a thrilling finish that saw Leeds victorious over Wigan 22-20.

McNamara told the media yesterday, “We spent a long time selecting this squad and there were some close call with a lot of competition for places.

“There is a tremendous challenge in front of us against the best Rugby League nation in the world. New Zealand will be formidable opponents.

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“There is a strong core of players that have come through the England system over recent years and have the desire, appetite and quality to do English Rugby League proud in this tournament.

“We are fully aware that we will need to work exceptionally hard and play to a very high level to win the tournament. Our aim is to win our first home series against southern hemisphere opposition since Great Britain defeated New Zealand in 2007.”

Similar to the Kiwis’ squad however, England will also be without star players George Burgess, Alex Walmsley, Jack Reed, Stefan Ratchford and Joel Tomkins who are all receiving surgery after a tough season.

England will be based out of St George’s Park a training facility in which they share with the Football Association also used by the English national football team.

England will play their first match against France on 24 October before taking on New Zealand at KC Stadium on 1 November, Olympic Stadium on 7 November and DW Stadium on 14 November.

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