Gareth Widdop backs the England call-up for George Williams
Last Updated: 23/10/15 3:38pm
St George Illawarra Dragons half-back Gareth Widdop has backed the selection of George Williams as his new England partner.
The 20-year-old, Super League's young player of the year, has replaced his Wigan team-mate Matty Smith in the squad and will be one of four debutants for their autumn international campaign opener against France at Leigh Sports Village on Saturday.
"He's obviously had a great season in Super League," said Widdop. "He's a good, young kid and everybody has got a lot of raps on him.
"He's a very strong ball runner, is excited by the opportunity he's got and I'm looking forward to playing alongside him."
Wigan coach Shaun Wane gave the academy international a vote of confidence at the start of the season by handing him Blake Green's No 6 jersey.
But Wane suggested six weeks ago that an England inclusion may be too soon for Williams and the player admits he was surprised to get the call.
"I can see where Waney was coming from, he wants the best for me and the best for Wigan in years to come," Williams said. "But 100 per cent I want to play.
"Representing your country is a dream of mine, it's every young lad's dream to play for England, although I'll be honest, I never thought this opportunity would have come so quickly."
Williams will make his debut alongside club-mate John Bateman, a specialist back rower who looks set to be given the nod at centre, ahead of Huddersfield's Leroy Cudjoe, after impressing in the role for the Warriors during the last three months of the season.
The other new faces are winger Joe Burgess and prop Mike Cooper, who get their chances after being unused members of coach Steve McNamara's 2014 Four Nations squad.
England arranged Saturday's fixture to aid their preparations for the three-match Test series against New Zealand, which starts at Hull on Sunday week, but have maintained its importance with caps at stake.
Widdop said: "It's a Test match so we want to be going out there and be putting a performance in and getting a win. Saying that, it's a good opportunity to work on combinations leading into the New Zealand games."
Probable teams
England: Z Hardaker (Leeds); J Burgess (Wigan), J Bateman (Wigan), K Watkins (Leeds), R Hall (Leeds); G Williams (Wigan), G Widdop (St George Illawarra); C Hill (Warrington), J Hodgson (Canberra), J Graham (Canterbury Bulldogs), E Whitehead (Catalans), L Farrell (Wigan), S O'Loughlin (Wigan, capt).
Interchange: J Roby (St Helens), T Burgess (South Sydney), M Cooper (St George Illawarra), B Ferres (Huddersfield).
France: M Escare (Catalans); J Sigismeau (Catalans), J-P Baile (Bradford), O Arnaud (Avignon), S Robin (Catalans); W Barthau (London Broncos), R Marginet (Featherstone); J Bousquet (Catalans), J Boudebza (Hull KR), M Simon (Wakefield, capt), K Larroyer (Hull KR), U Perez (Catalans), G Springer (Castleford).
Interchange (from): M Kriouache (Toulouse), C Boyer (Halifax), F Rouanet (Caracassonne), A Maria (Catalans), B Jullien (Warrington).
