England enter the Four Nations 2011 in a stronger shape than any of their teams in recent history. With a typically powerful forward pack, the English have seen the emergence of several key players in their backline, which may see them become a genuine threat to Australia and New Zealand in the years ahead.
The squad has a number of exciting young talents, with many older members of the squad sticking around for what will most likely be their final series.
The English forward pack is strong, though they will rue the absence of Sam Burgess, who along with James Graham, Jamie Peacock and Adrian Morley would have formed the most potent front row in the tournament.
Another notable absence is that of Joel Tomkins, who’s apparent defection to rugby union club Saracens is believed to be the reason that he has been left out of the squad.
Nevertheless, his brother and play-maker cum fullback Sam, will line up in an English backline with some great young talent.
Sam Tomkins is one of, if not the, star attraction of the European Super League.
The try-scoring machine has yet to score against New Zealand or Australia, but his move to fullback, under coach Steve McNamara, which mirrors his place in Wigan, could see this change during the tournament.
Rangi Chase was brought into the side, with no small amount of controversy.
Qualifying under the ‘residency rule’, Chase had only months earlier declared that he wanted to push his way into the New Zealand squad, before defecting to the country he moved to to play his football.
Despite this, he is a welcome addition to the squad, and put in a man-of-the-match performance in England’s 32-18 warm-up win against France.
English-born Jack Reed, the plasterer cum star Broncos centre, will get his first taste of competition international rugby league, and managed a length of the field try on debut. He will provide some much-needed defensive ability out wide which has been lacking in recent years.
An issue with the England squad is that there are a lot of old bodies, especially in the forward pack, but an exciting young backline and the unsuspected addition of Chris Heighington to fill out the forward pack means a stronger side than last year.
Danger man
Sam Tomkins is England’s best player coming into this tournament. If the forwards can get a good roll on, which on paper they should, then Tomkins should be able to nab a couple of four pointers, and end his non-friendly duck for England.
Defensively sound, and able to move into halfback or five-eighth, Tomkins should not be shown any kind of space.
Indeed, with blistering pace, even in England’s own half, teams will need to be on their toes and try to move up fast (and in unison) on him as he moves across field probing for gaps.
Chances
While England made the final in 2009 with a weaker roster, New Zealand have since made huge strides in almost every area of the pitch, and it will be difficult to overcome them even at home.
They do have a very good recent record against the Kiwis at home, but the loss of Sam Burgess in their engine room is a huge loss. The replacements are far from unable and they should dispatch Wales by some margin.
If the game went for 60 minutes, England would be competitive with Australia, but seem to run out of juice, heavily towards the end which leads to large defeats.
Basically guaranteed third, with a decent chance of stealing a spot in the final.
Squad
Carl Ablett (Leeds Rhinos)
Ryan Bailey (Leeds Rhinos)
Tom Briscoe (Hull FC)
Garreth Carvell (Warrington Wolves)
Rangi Chase (Castleford Tigers)
Leroy Cudjoe (Huddersfield Giants)
Gareth Ellis (Wests Tigers)
James Graham (St Helens)
Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos)
Chris Heighington (Wests Tigers)
Ben Jones-Bishop (Leeds Rhinos)
Jamie Jones-Buchanan (Leeds Rhinos)
Jonny Lomax (St Helens)
Michael McIlorum (Wigan Warriors)
Adrian Morley (Warrington Wolves)
Jamie Peacock (captain) (Leeds Rhinos)
Jack Reed (Brisbane Broncos)
James Roby (St Helens)
Kevin Sinfield (Leeds Rhinos)
Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors)
Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves)
Gareth Widdop (Melbourne Storm)
Jon Wilkin (St Helens)
Kirk Yeaman (Hull FC)
Matches
Round 1
12:30 AM AEDT – Sunday October 30 against Wales at Leigh Sports Village, England – Fox Sports
Round 2
2:30 AM AEDT – Sunday November 6 against Australia at Wembley, England (Note: this is a double header) – Channel Nine
Round 3
5:00 AM AEDT – Sunday November 13 against New Zealand at KC Stadium, England – Fox Sports
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