England Men have selected a 19-player squad to travel to France for Saturday’s clash with France in Toulouse, which will be shown live on SuperLeague+ (KO 5pm).
The team will be led by Assistant Coach Andy Last with Head Coach Shaun Wane unable to travel after undergoing an ankle operation this week.
Hooker Brad O’Neill will round off an incredible year, which has seen him lift all four trophies available to Wigan Warriors, with an international debut. Castleford Tigers centre Sam Wood is also in line to earn his first England cap.
Elliot Minchella’s fine form for Hull KR will be rewarded with an international debut whilst Huddersfield Giants forward Oliver Wilson will also feature for England for the first time.
Fellow new faces, George Delaney of St Helens and Leeds Rhinos forward James McDonnell, are also named in the 19-player squad.
Hull KR hooker Jez Litten has unfortunately had to withdraw from the squad due to illness.
Assistant Coach Andy Last said: “We’ve had a bit of a different build-up to this week’s Test Match with Shaun [Wane] having to leave camp, but the players have really stepped up and it really has been business as usual.
“This is an exciting squad and it’s always great to be able to reward players with their first international caps. All very deserving of wearing the England shirt.
“It’s a big occasion for the French with it being their 90th anniversary and we are under no illusions they will come out strong in Toulouse on Saturday.
“We have a lot of young players who are all very talented and they’ll be looking to impress and stake a claim to face Samoa at the end of the season.”
Warrington Wolves halfback George Williams will captain the side whilst eight other players are included who were involved in last year’s 3-0 series whitewash of Tonga.
England Men 19-Player Squad v France:
Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves), George Delaney (St Helens), Tyler Dupree (Wigan Warriors), Ash Handley (Leeds Rhinos), James Harrison (Warrington Wolves), Tom Johnstone (Catalans Dragons), Matty Lees (St Helens), Mikey Lewis (Hull KR), James McDonnell (Leeds Rhinos), Elliot Minchella (Hull KR), Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos), Matty Nicholson (Warrington Wolves), Brad O’Neill, Harry Smith, Luke Thompson (all Wigan Warriors), Jack Welsby (St Helens), George Williams (Warrington Wolves), Oliver Wilson (Huddersfield Giants), Sam Wood (Castleford Tigers).
England’s Men and Women will play France in Toulouse on Saturday 29 June, as the French Rugby League (FFR XIII) celebrates 90 years of the game in the republic.
England Women take on France at 3.30pm (local time, 2:30pm UK), followed by the Men’s international at 6pm (5pm, UK) – and both matches will be streamed LIVE and FREE from Stade Ernest-Wallon on SuperLeague+, Rugby League’s global, direct-to-consumer streaming service.
SuperLeague+ is available online at superleague.co.uk/superleagueplus, via the SuperLeague+ app on iOS and Android devices, and on connected TV platforms (Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV).
