Kyle Eastmond named at scrum half for England, Jon Wilkin on bench (From St Helens Star)

Kyle Eastmond named at scrum half for England, Jon Wilkin on bench

12:53pm Thursday 5th November 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

TONY Smith has made three changes to his backline for England's do-or-die clash with New Zealand at Huddersfield's Galpharm Stadium on Saturday, kick off 3pm.

The changes occur on the back of Australia ripping England's right-hand side to shreds at the weekend.

Danny McGuire, who was defending on the right edge, has been replaced by Saints' Kyle Eastmond, who gets his first start in his favoured scrum half position for his country.

Saints back rower Jon Wilkin is on the bench for his first taste of Gillette Four Nations action, while James Graham and James Roby continue in the front row.

The other backline changes see Chris Bridge named at right centre in place of Lee Smith, handing the Warrington Wolves star his England debut.

He will partner Hull KR's Peter Fox, who is also set to make his first appearance of the Gillette Four Nations.

The winners of the game will play in the final at Elland Road on November 14, whereas the season will end for the losers.

England: 1 - Shaun Briscoe (Hull KR, Wigan St Patricks), 2 - Peter Fox (Hull Kingston Rovers, York Acorn), 3 - Chris Bridge (Warrington Wolves, Waterhead), 4 - Michael Shenton (Castleford Tigers, Upton), 5 - Ryan Hall (Leeds, Oulton Raiders), 6 – Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks), 7 - Kyle Eastmond (St Helens, Oldham St Annes), 8 - Adrian Morley (Warrington Wolves, Eccles), 9 - James Roby (St Helens, Blackbrook), 10 - James Graham (St Helens, Blackbrook), 11 - Jamie Peacock (Leeds, Stanningley Rangers), 12 - Gareth Ellis (Wests Tigers, Castleford Lock Lane), 13 - Kevin Sinfield (Leeds Rhinos, Waterhead).

Subs: 14 - Sam Burgess (Bradford Bulls, Dewsbury Moor), 15 - Eorl Crabtree (Huddersfield Giants, Huddersfield YMCA), 16 - Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves, Normanton Knights), 17 - Jon Wilkin (St Helens, East Hull).

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)