Leeds Rhinos man called into England squad for 2nd Ashes Test v Australia as coach Shaun Wane makes changes
A Leeds Rhinos player has been called into England’s squad for the second Ashes Test against Australia.
Veteran back-rower Kallum Watkins is included in coach Shaun Wane’s 19 ahead of Saturday’s must-win showdown at Everton FC’s Hill Dickinson Stadium. The 34-year-old will win his 30th Test cap, if selected.
Clubmate Mikolaj Oledzki, who was 19th man when England lost 26-6 in last weekend’s opening encounter at Wembley, retains his place in the initial group, but Leeds centre Harry Newman is again left out. Wakefield Trinity winger Tom Johnstone and prop Mike McMeeken are included after featuring last week.
Also coming into contention are Canberra Raiders second-rower/loose-forward Morgan Smithies and Wigan Warriors half-back Harry Smith. Watkins and Smithies are vying to replace John Bateman in the matchday side. The North Queensland Cowboys second-rower started last week’s game, but is “not feeling 100 per cent” and won’t feature in the remarch. Oledzki could replace Ethan Havard, one of the first-choice props at Wembley, in the 17.
Smith is expected to start alongside captain George Williams, with Mikey Lewis potentially switching to the bench. Jack Welsby has been dropped so AJ Brimson is likely to take over at full-back for his England debut. The Gold Coast Titans man changed his international eligibility from Australia earlier this year.
Wane said: “I needed to make some changes to the side that lost last week at Wembley and I have done that. The beauty of having such a strong squad is that we are bringing some really talented players into the side ahead of this weekend’s game, but the fact remains we simply need to be better this time around.
“I want us to show the very best of us, play at the level I know we can and ultimately level this Ashes Series. We are heading to a sold-out Hill Dickinson Stadium and I have no doubt the English supporters will get behind the team and be that 18th man for us on Saturday afternoon.”
England’s squad is: AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans), Daryl Clark (St Helens), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Tom Johnstone (Wakefield Trinity), Morgan Knowles (St Helens), Matty Lees (St Helens), Mikey Lewis (Hull KR), Jez Litten (Hull KR), Mike McMeeken (Wakefield), Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos), Kai Pearce-Paul (Newcastle Knights), Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors), Morgan Smithies (Canberra Raiders), Owen Trout (Leigh Leopards), Alex Walmsley (St Helens), Jake Wardle (Wigan), Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos), George Williams (Warrington Wolves, Dom Young (Newcastle Knights).