Burgess back for Kiwi clash

GEORGE BURGESS is back in the England squad for the first time in two years alongside uncapped St Helens winger Tommy Makinson.

The pair will today be named in Wayne Bennett’s 19-man squad to face New Zealand in the USA on June 23.

Prop Burgess (above) missed out on last year’s World Cup and has not featured for his country since the 2016 Four Nations, but has been in outstanding form for his club South Sydney.

He will be named alongside his brothers Sam and Tom, and three other NRL players in Gareth Widdop, James Graham and Elliott Whitehead. Makinson (below) has been rewarded for excellent performances for tabletoppers St Helens, and is one of three wingers, along with Ryan Hall and Jermaine McGillvary.

The Test in Denver will go ahead despite continued objections from some NRL clubs over releasing players, with captain Sean O’Loughlin insisting he was always confident it would take place. He said: “I heard what was going on, but from our camp it’s all remained positive and there’s never been any wavering from the fact there was going to be a game.

“Our focus has just been on that. There’s almost been no talk of it not being on.

“The boys are excited about the opportunity to go out there and represent England – hopefully it’s a big thing for the sport.”

England are without five players from the World Cup final defeat to Australia, with Kallum Watkins, Ben Currie, Luke Gale and Alex Walmsley injured and Kevin Brown having quit international duty.