England turn to Tomkins

Graham and Roby handed starts against Kangaroos

Last updated: 29th October 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

England turn to Tomkins

Tomkins: England chance

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

Tony Smith
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Sam Tomkins has replaced Richie Myler in one of three changes to England's starting line-up to take on Australia in the Gillette Four Nations on Saturday.

Wigan half-back Tomkins, Super League's young player of the year, was overlooked for the 34-12 victory over France in England's opening game of the tournament despite having scored a hat-trick on debut against Wales the previous week.

But he has been brought in to face the Kangaroos on his home ground at the DW Stadium after Myler picked up a concussion in the closing stages of the France win.

"Richie has still got a bit of a head knock but Sam was going to get a chance this week," England coach Tony Smith said.

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

Faith

"I've got lot of faith in both those young men but it's Sam's go this week."

James Roby replaces Scott Moore at hooker and skipper Jamie Peacock switches to the second row to accommodate prop James Graham, with Sam Burgess dropping to the bench.

Eorl Crabtree has been preferred to Moore among the replacements.

England: S Briscoe (Hull KR); T Briscoe (Hull), L Smith (Leeds), M Shenton (Castleford), R Hall (Leeds); D McGuire (Leeds), S Tomkins (Wigan); A Morley (Warrington), J Roby (St Helens), J Graham (St Helens), G Ellis (Wests Tigers), J Peacock (Leeds, captain), K Sinfield (Leeds)
Replacements: S Burgess (Bradford), E Crabtree (Huddersfield), K Eastmond (St Helens), B Westwood (Warrington)

Comments (10)

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Nathan Marks says...

Australia are going to win this game quite easy... Not 1 player from england would make our aussie side.. After we have blown out the cob webs from the NZ game i would but my house on the Aussies by 19+ don't let your foolish english pride take over your judgement Australia are dead set - even if ganson gives the poms 10 penalties more, big home crowd, wet ground, every thing to suit the English....But remember after the game - no excuses England not a word.

Posted 11:26 30th October 2009

Sean Paul says...

It's a quality team that's been picked!!! The way to beat the aussies is through the forwards and Crabtree and Graham are going to be too strong. Having peacock on the second row is also genius. I'd like to see Kyle Eastmond start as well.

Posted 09:06 30th October 2009

Ryan Kiernan says...

Ben westwood should not be on the bench i think jon wilkin had great end to the season

Posted 08:41 30th October 2009

Andy Robinson says...

It's good to see the coach picking fresh in form players instead of the old guard. The team looks well balanced and exciting if a little inexperienced, (altough there is only one way to gain that). Having got the first game and cobwebs under the belt, I really hope all the lads go well on Saturday and give the Aussies something to think about. It would be great to beat them insterad of the usual, so near yet so far. They just need to have belief in themselves and Smith seems to instill that. Goof Luck

Posted 08:04 30th October 2009

Elliot Smith says...

if we want to beat the aussies we cant be playing players like shenton hes not world class and agaisnt inglis we have no chance least if smith would of picked senior he can match it with the aussies and wheres peter fox aswell ????

Posted 00:17 30th October 2009

Matthew Gratino says...

Great to see Crabtree he deserves it , but why no David Hodgson, Kev Brown, Luke Robinson , Mason , and Moore? these players should all be in the squad then we would beat the Aussies!!!!

Posted 17:13 29th October 2009

Phil Russell says...

It's a well picked side now its up to the players to do their bit. Rephrase that, do their very best. The players now in my mind have no excuse come on ENGLAND play with pride.

Posted 16:53 29th October 2009

Adge Booth says...

Why has Westwood got a place on the bench, surely we have a better 2ndrower than him!!!!

Posted 16:31 29th October 2009

Phil Ford says...

Great team selection, I am looking forward to the forwards Graham & Crabtree playing together making the way for Sam Tomkins & James Roby to come through and cause headaches for the Austrailians.

Posted 14:42 29th October 2009

Michael Campbell says...

Smith has seen sense by playing young Sam Tomkins.The lad offers more dimension to the team and reads the game much better than Myler. It's just a pity that he will now be compared to Myler's performance against France should the team fail in a big way against the Australians.

Posted 14:03 29th October 2009
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