Briscoe wings in for England
Wednesday 21 October 2009 17:17, UK
England coach Tony Smith has named Tom Briscoe on the wing for Friday's opening Four Nations fixture against France.
Tomkins overlooked despite hat-trick in warm-up win over Wales
England coach Tony Smith has named Tom Briscoe in his side to face France in the opening Four Nations fixture on Friday night. The Hull FC winger has been preferred to Peter Fox despite not being selected in the original 24-man party for the tournament. Briscoe was called up to take the place of the injured Sean O'Loughlin, who has been ruled out with a cracked bone in his thumb. The 19-year-old, who endured an injury-hit season with the Airlie Birds, scored two tries in England's 48-12 win over Wales last weekend.Tomkins omitted
However Sam Tomkins, who grabbed a hat-trick inn the game at the Brewery Field, has been left out of the 17-man squad completely. "I know if we opted for Sam Tomkins in that position he'd do a good job but we think the combination of Richie Myler and Danny McGuire is right for this match," explained Smith. There are just seven survivors from the England team that suffered a 32-22 semi-final defeat to New Zealand in last year's World Cup. Shaun Briscoe, no relation to Tom, is at full-back while rugby union-bound Lee Smith is selected alongside Castleford's Michael Shenton in the centres. Danny McGuire and Richie Myler are paired together in the half-back roles, with St Helens' Kyle Eastmond amongst the replacements. In the pack, experienced duo Adrian Morley and Jamie Peacock start in the front row with James Graham starting the game on the bench. Gareth Ellis and Sam Burgess form the second row while Kevin Sinfield, man of the match in this year's Grand Final, is at loose forward. The Leeds Rhinos skipper has been recalled having been left out for England's final two matches at the World Cup, as well as being overlooked for the mid-season international against the French. England team: S Briscoe (Hull KR); T Briscoe (Hull), L Smith (Leeds), M Shenton (Castleford), R Hall (Leeds); D McGuire (Leeds), R Myler (Salford); A Morley (Warrington), S Moore (Huddersfield), J Peacock (Leeds, capt), G Ellis (Wests Tigers), S Burgess (Bradford), K Sinfield (Leeds).Replacements: K Eastmond (St Helens), J Roby (St Helens), J Graham (St Helens), B Westwood (Warrington).
