Five Saints players in England squads (From St Helens Star)

Five Saints players in England squads

5:13pm Monday 3rd September 2012 in Latest News

ENGLAND Rugby League have named a revised 28-man Elite Training Squad, which will form the nucleus of the side that will compete in this autumn’s Triangular tournament against France and Wales.

England coach Steve McNamara has kept faith with the majority of players that were selected in his initial squad back in March.

Warrington Wolves’ Ryan Atkins and Hull FC’s Danny Tickle are included after featuring in the International Origin series against the Exiles earlier this summer.

“With the Rugby League World Cup just over 12 months away our planning and preparation will step up over the year ahead to make sure we are competitive and ready to make a huge impact on the tournament,” said McNamara.

“Ultimately, my ambition is to have a squad capable of winning the World Cup for the first time since 1972 and we are heading in the right direction. Every opportunity with the players’ I have is vital. We have some exciting plans that will make us the best prepared side to come from these shores in history.”

From the squad selected in March, five players have missed out - Ryan Bailey (Leeds Rhinos), Warrington centre Chris Bridge, Ian Henderson (Catalan Dragons) and East Yorkshire pair Kris Welham (Hull KR) and Kirk Yeaman (Hull FC) - but McNamara believes there are still opportunities for these players to make the squad in the future.

“The door is not shut on those that have missed out this time around. As we approach the business end of the season, there is a lot to play for and there is no doubt that some players will progress and push for a place in the squad during the autumn series. We have a number of NRL based players that will be involved too and it is imperative that we continue to have competition for places across all positions.“ Meanwhile, the England Knights 29-man squad includes eight new faces as they build up to their debut in the Alitalia Cup.

After a strong season with Warrington, which included winning the Carnegie Challenge Cup final a week ago at Wembley, prop Chris Hill is rewarded with a call up. Other notable inclusions are Castleford Tigers impressive hooker Daryl Clarke and Huddersfield Giants exciting full-back Greg Eden.

The Knights will play Ireland and Scotland in the Alitalia Cup commencing next month.

Full details of where England will play in the Triangular tournament, including dates and kick off times, will be announced in due course.

England Elite Training Squad (Professional club and community club shown): Carl Ablett, Leeds Rhinos, Hunslet Parkside.

Ryan Atkins, Warrington Wolves, Stanningley.

Tom Briscoe, Hull FC, Featherstone Lions.

Danny Brough, Huddersfield Giants, Thornhill Trojans.

Rob Burrow, Leeds Rhinos, Featherstone Lions.

Garreth Carvell, Warrington Wolves, Stanningley.

Josh Charnley, Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks.

Rangi Chase, Castleford Tigers, Dannevirke Tigers.

Eorl Crabtree, Huddersfield Giants, Huddersfield YMCA.

Leroy Cudjoe, Huddersfield Giants, Newsome Panthers.

Ryan Hall, Leeds Rhinos, Oulton Raiders.

Zak Hardaker, Leeds Rhinos, Featherstone Lions.

Gareth Hock, Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Judes.

Ben Jones-Bishop, Leeds Rhinos, Queens.

Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Leeds Rhinos, Stanningley.

Jonny Lomax, St Helens, Orrell St James.

Danny McGuire, Leeds Rhinos, East Leeds.

Michael McIlorum, Wigan Warriors, Queens.

Adrian Morley, Warrington Wolves, Eccles.

Lee Mossop, Wigan Warriors, Hensingham.

Sean O’Loughlin, Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks.

James Roby, St Helens, Blackbrook.

Kevin Sinfield, Leeds Rhinos, Waterhead.

Danny Tickle, Hull FC, Golborne Parkside.

Sam Tomkins, Wigan Warriors. Wigan St Patricks.

Kallum Watkins, Leeds Rhinos, Latchford Albion.

Ben Westwood, Warrington Wolves, Normanton.

Jon Wilkin, St Helens, East Hull.

England Knights Squad: *denotes players new to the squad (Professional club and community club shown): Jodie Broughton, Salford City Reds, Queens.

Tom Burgess*, Bradford Bulls, Dewsbury Moor.

Daryl Clark*, Castleford Tigers, Castleford Lock Lane.

Chris Clarkson, Leeds Rhinos, East Leeds.

Paul Clough, St Helens, Blackbrook.

Mike Cooper, Warrington Wolves, Latchford Albion.

Kieran Dixon*, London Broncos, Hemel Stags.

Greg Eden*, Huddersfield Giants, Castleford Lock Lane.

Rhys Evans, Warrington Wolves, Burtonwood Bulldogs.

Liam Farrell, Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Pats.

Mark Flanagan, St Helens, Saddleworth Rangers.

Luke Gale, Bradford Bulls, Middleton Marauders.

Ben Harrison, Warrington Wolves, Barrow Island.

Chris Hill*, Warrington Wolves, New Springs Lions.

Josh Hodgson, Hull KR, Hull Dockers.

Danny Houghton, Hull FC, East Hull.

Jack Hughes*, Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Judes.

Michael Lawrence*, Huddersfield Giants, Newsome Panthers.

Shaun Lunt, Huddersfield Giants, Ellenborough Rangers.

Jermaine McGillvary, Huddersfield Giants, Deighton Juniors.

Richie Myler, Warrington Wolves, Halton West Bank.

Larne Patrick, Huddersfield Giants, Townville Tigers.

Stefan Ratchford, Warrington Wolves, Wigan St Patricks.

Chris Riley, Warrington Wolves, Woolston Rovers.

Matty Smith, Salford City Reds, Blackbrook.

Scott Taylor, Hull KR, Skirlaugh Bulls.

Jordan Turner*, Hull FC, Waterhead.

Joe Wardle, Huddersfield Giants, Ovenden.

Joe Westerman, Hull FC, Featherstone Lions.