England make two changes for Australia

Thursday 29th October 2009

Story in brief:

England have brought in Sam Tomkins and Eorl Crabtree for Saturday’s Gillette Four Nations clash with Australia at Wigan’s DW Stadium.

England have brought in Sam Tomkins and Eorl Crabtree for Saturday’s Gillette Four Nations clash with Australia at Wigan’s DW Stadium.

Coach Tony Smith brings in Wigan Warriors half-back Tomkins, engage Super League’s young player of the year, in place of teenager Richie Myler, while Huddersfield Giants front rower Crabtree takes the place of club-mate Scott Moore.

In a further change to the XIII that started the 34-12 win over France at Doncaster last Friday, James Roby starts at hooker in place of Moore and skipper Jamie Peacock switches to the second row to accommodate prop James Graham, with Sam Burgess dropping to the bench.

Myler missed the closing stages of the opening game through concussion but Smith said Tomkins, who scored a hat-trick of tries on debut against Wales, was always likely to get the nod this week.

“Richie has still got a bit of a head knock but Sam was going to get a chance this week,” he told a press conference at the team’s Manchester hotel.

“It gives us a chance to compare the two and decide which way we go for the final week.

“I’ve got lot of faith in both those young men but it’s Sam’s go this week.”

England team to play Australia in the Gillette Four Nations at Wigan on Saturday:

S Briscoe (Hull KR); T Briscoe (Hull FC), Smith (Leeds), Shenton (Castleford), Hall (Leeds); McGuire (Leeds), Tomkins (Wigan); Morley (Warrington), Roby (St Helens), Graham (St Helens), Ellis (Wests Tigers), Peacock (Leeds, capt), Sinfield (Leeds).

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For the latest information on the Gillette Four Nations, please visit www.gillette4nations.co.uk.