Leeds Rhinos star called into England squad for 3rd Ashes Test v Australia at Headingley
Three Leeds Rhinos players could be on duty for England on home turf in Saturday’s sold-out final Ashes Test against Australia.
Rhinos’ Harry Newman has been named in England boss Shaun Wane’s 19 for the AMT Headingley finale, having been left out of the two previous squads. Club mates Kallum Watkins and Mikolaj Oledzki retain their place after featuring in the second Test defeat at Liverpool’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Newman’s last international appearance came at Headingley when England sealed a 2-0 series win over Samoa 12 months ago. He is set to replace Wigan Warriors’ Jake Wardle who played in the first two Tests, but has been left out this time.
Oledzki and Watkins were both called up last week after not featuring in the series opener at Wembley. Hull KR winger Joe Burgess has also been drafted in and replaces Dom Young who suffered a broken foot late in last Saturday’s game. They are the two changes, with Wakefield Trinity winger Tom Johnstone and prop Mike McMeeken set for their third appearance of the series.
Wane said: “It will be great to see Joe Burgess and Harry Newman in action this weekend. Joe has had a great season with Hull KR and Harry has been a consistent performer for me in an England jersey.” He added: “Of course we are disappointed not to be going into this final game with the opportunity to win the Ashes, but the goal now is to come away from the series with a victory.
“We did a lot of good things last week, but ultimately we need to be even better if we want to get a win this weekend. I’ve no doubt the England supporters will get behind us once more - as they have in previous seasons at Headingley - and hopefully we can give them something to celebrate come Saturday evening.”
England’s squad is: AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans), Joe Burgess (Hull KR), 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), Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos), 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), Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos), George Williams (Warrington Wolves.