England v Australia: Teams
England will be hoping to end a 16-year wait for a victory over Australia when the two sides go toe-to-toe at Wembley.
Last Updated: 04/11/11 3:17pm
![Steve McNamara: Will be hoping Wembley can inspire his team](https://e2.365dm.com/11/11/660x350/McNamara_2673916.jpg?20111103204650)
England will be hoping to end a 16-year wait for a victory over Australia when the two sides go toe-to-toe at Wembley on Saturday.
The English team have endured a miserable run of results against the Kangaroos, but Steve McNamara's squad will be hoping to change all that when international rugby league returns to the famous sporting venue for the first time since 1997.
The last England win came at Wembley too, in the opening match of the 1995 World Cup. However the Australians gained their revenge, triumphing in the final three weeks later in the last international to be staged at the ground.
There was success for Great Britain during the 2006 Tri-Nations Series, but England have often suffered at the hands of their rivals from Down Under, including a disappointing 34-14 reversal in last year's Four Nations.
Crying out
However, hopes are high that this could finally be England's year, not least because of the fact they have home advantage.
It is something Gareth Ellis feels must happen this weekend to help boost the sport.
"I think everyone is aware just how much the game is crying out for England to win a competition," said the former Leeds Rhino.
"The international game is not as strong as it used to be but a win would definitely give the fans something to be proud of."
Ellis is one of three NRL players to be selected in McNamara's starting line-up, with the second rower being joined by Wests Tigers team-mate Chris Heighington and Brisbane Broncos centre Jack Reed.
For Reed the challenge couldn't be much bigger - the 23-year-old will go up against the sizeable presence of Greg Inglis, who is fit to take his place in Australia's team after recovering from ankle and knee injuries.
"It's a great challenge for Jack," admitted Ellis. "He has been on fire, playing well week in, week out for Brisbane, and he's come up against some world-class centres and got one over on them.
"It's a great plus to have him on our side. I think he'll open a few eyes at the weekend."
While 19 of England's 24-man squad have played at Wembley, only Australia skipper Darren Lockyer has previously experienced running out at the national stadium, having faced Great Britain in the 1997 Super League Test series.
Honour
His half-back partner Jonathan Thurston admits it will be an "honour" to appear on the hallowed turf.
"I'm definitely looking forward to playing here," he said. "There is so much history and tradition with the stadium, it's going to be an honour and privilege to lace on the boots and play on the ground.
"Locky's the only one in our team who's played here so for all the boys it's going to be a great experience, that's for sure."
The Kangaroos are firm favourites to regain the Four Nations title, particularly after missing out on home soil last year.
As well as drafting in Inglis for the injured Willie Tonga, coach Tim Sheens has been forced to do without David Shillington from the side that defeated New Zealand in their opening game.
England: S Tomkins (Wigan); R Hall (Leeds), J Reed (Brisbane), K Yeaman (Hull), T Briscoe (Hull); K Sinfield (Leeds), R Chase (Castleford); J Graham (St Helens), J Roby (St Helens), J Peacock (Leeds, capt), G Ellis (Wests Tigers), B Westwood (Warrington), C Heighington (Wests Tigers).
Interchange: G Widdop (Melbourne), A Morley (Warrington), J Jones-Buchanan (Leeds), J Wilkin (St Helens).
Australia: B Slater (Melbourne), A Uate (Newcastle), C Lawrence (Wests Tigers), G Inglis (South Sydney), D Boyd (St George Illawarra); D Lockyer (Brisbane, capt), J Thurston (North Queensland); P Gallen (Cronulla), C Smith (Melbourne), M Scott (North Queensland), L Lewis (Penrith), S Thaiday (Brisbane), A Watmough (Manly).
Interchange (from): C Cronk (Melbourne), K Galloway (Wests Tigers), C Parker (Brisbane), T Williams (Manly), B Scott (St George Illawarra), R Farrar (Wests Tigers).