Luke Burgess replaces banned James Graham in the England squad (From St Helens Star)

Luke Burgess replaces banned James Graham in the England squad

9:57am Friday 5th October 2012 in Latest News

ENGLAND have replaced James Graham with South Sydney Rabbitohs prop Luke Burgess for the 2012 Autumn International Series against France and Wales.

Burgess, the former Leeds Rhinos forward, has been called up following the 12-match suspension imposed by the Australian Rugby League Commission on Canterbury Bulldogs prop James Graham for a biting offence in last Saturday’s NRL Grand Final.

Graham’s ban includes up to three matches in the forthcoming Autumn International Series.

Burgess, who earns his first-ever senior call-up, will join the rest of the squad on Wednesday October 10 at the team’s training base in Potchefstroom, South Africa before travelling back to the United Kingdom for the Autumn International Series.