MCGILLVARY AND LEEMING CALLED UP AHEAD OF WAKEFIELD CLASH England duo boost Giants

HUDDERSFIELD Giants have been boosted for the rest of the season with England recognition for Jermaine McGillvary and Kruise Leeming.

Wing ace McGillvary, who played in the Denver Test victory over New Zealand, has retained his place Wayne Bennett’s Elite Performance squad as England build up to a three-match series against the Kiwis.

England Elite Men’s Squad will also play France in a warmup game on Wednesday, October 17 (KO 7.45pm) at Leigh Sports Village.

Meanwhile, hooker Leeming, 22, is in the England Knights Performance squad.

The news comes as Simon Woolford’s Giants – already confirmed in the Super 8s – build up to their final regular-season match against Wakefield at the John Smith’s on Friday night.

Woolford has confirmed he may make a couple of changes to the side to provide valuable rest for players who are carrying injury niggles.

But he’s made it clear he expects the Giants to maintain their momentum.

Back to England, and Castleford’s uncapped loose forward Adam Milner has been named in the Elite 25. Milner is the only new face included among the Super League-based selection, although there are recalls for Wigan full-back Sam Tomkins and Warrington prop Mike Cooper.

Tomkins has not played for England since the 2014 Four Nations while Cooper’s last Test appearance was in 2016.

Bennett said: “We’re welcoming two recalls to the squad and one new addition and the door will remain open for the remainder of the season as we head towards the International Test Series against New Zealand later this year.”

There is no place for Warrington’s former Wigan and England winger Josh Charnley, who has also been ignored for the England Knights squad.

L Gale, M McMeeken, A Milner (all Castleford), J McGillvary (Huddersfield), J Connor, S Taylor (both Hull), R Hall, S Ward, K Watkins (both Leeds), J Lomax, T Makinson, M Percival, J Roby, L Thompson, A Walmsley (all St Helens), T Johnstone (Wakefield), D Clark, M Cooper, B Currie, C Hill, S Ratchford (all Warrington), J Bateman, S O’Loughlin, S Tomkins, G Williams (all Wigan).

G Minikin, J Trueman, O Holmes (all Castleford), K Leeming (Huddersfield), B Fash, D Hadley, M Matongo, J Shaul (all Hull), C Atkin, R Mulhern (both Hull KR), A Handley, M Oledzski, L Sutcliffe, J Walker (all Leeds), J Cunningham (London Broncos), N Evalds (Salford), T Davies, O Gildart, J Greenwood, S Powell, R Sutton (all Wigan), M Lees, D Richardson (both St Helens), J Batchelor, M Jowitt, R Lyne (all Wakefield), J Hughes, H Livett (both Warrington), T Gilmore, D Walker, M Whitley (all Widnes).