Look Who it Was Random video

McNamara names England Squad

2,089 views · Published 2 June 2010 · 4:11 · Indexed 6 October 2026

Channel: Rugby League · 2010 · Sports

Watch on YouTube

England coach Steve McNamara has named a 19-man squad which features three potential debutants for the Gillette Fusion International against France at Leigh Sports Village on Saturday June 12.
The majority of McNamara's first squad since his appointment as England Head Coach earlier this year is drawn from the players who were involved in last year's Gillette Four Nations tournament with the addition of three new faces: Bradford Bulls prop Nick Scruton, Wigan Warriors forward Joel Tomkins and Melbourne Storm full-back Gareth Widdop.
Joel Tomkins's selection alongside his brother Sam, the Wigan stand-off, could see siblings play alongside each other in the national team for the first time since 1989, when Paul Hulme and David Hulme of Widnes lined up for Great Britain against New Zealand at Wigan.
The 19 will go into camp from next Monday, June 7 to begin preparations for the Gillette Fusion International, which is England's only fixture on home soil in 2010.
McNamara said he was delighted by the strength of his inaugural squad, the depth of which is underlined by the quality of players who have not made the 19.
"I'm really looking forward to continuing the progress we made in last year's Gillette Four Nations with a squad which contains an exciting blend of experience and potential," said McNamara.
"The new players we have brought in have a lot to add. Joel Tomkins, like his brother Sam, is an excellent competitor with a first class approach who has been in top form all year and deserves his place.
"Nick Scruton's inclusion is reward for 12 months of very consistent, explosive form for Bradford and Gareth Widdop is a player who really excites me.
"I have done a lot of research on Gareth, who is already a very good player with the potential to be an outstanding one.
"His first team appearances have been limited at Melbourne due to being second choice behind the world's number one full-back Billy Slater but I feel that this is the perfect opportunity and timing to take a closer look at an already very exciting young talent.
"With Gareth, as with many players in this squad, we have one eye on the here and now and one eye on the future and our ambitions to win the Rugby League World Cup in 2013.
"Our focus is very much on beating France but all the players involved in the Gillette Fusion International will be aware they have a great opportunity to put down a marker for selection for the Four Nations at the end of the year."
England's 19-man squad (current club and community club in brackets):
Chris Bridge (Warrington Wolves, Waterhead)
Tom Briscoe (Hull FC, Featherstone Lions)
Sam Burgess (South Sydney, Dewsbury Moor)
Kyle Eastmond (St Helens, Oldham St Annes)
Gareth Ellis (Wests Tigers, Castleford Lock Lane)
James Graham (St Helens, Blackbrook)
Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos, Oulton Raiders)
Sean O'Loughlin (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Pats)
Danny McGuire (Leeds Rhinos, East Leeds)
Adrian Morley (Warrington Wolves, Eccles)
Jamie Peacock (Leeds Rhinos, Stanningley)
James Roby (St Helens, Blackbrook)
Nick Scruton (Bradford Bulls, Churwell)
Michael Shenton (Castleford Tigers, Upton)
Kevin Sinfield (Leeds Rhinos, Waterhead)
Joel Tomkins (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Pats)
Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Pats)
 
Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves, Normanton Knights)
Gareth Widdop (Melbourne Storm, King Cross)
Tickets for England's Gillette Fusion International against France at Leigh Sports Village on Saturday June 12 cost just £10 (£5 concessions) and are available by calling 0844 856 11 13 or visiting www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk
For the latest information about England Rugby League please visit www.englandrl.com

More from this channel