Rovers’ Abdull selected for England debut against France
HULL KR half-back Jordan Abdull will make his England debut on Saturday after being named in the team to take on France.
The 25-year-old will partner St Helens star Jonny Lomax in the halves to cap a memorable season for the Rovers ace.
Wigan’s John Bateman - the most experienced international in the squad - will captain the side in the absence of Sam Tomkins, who misses out with a knee injury.
As many as eight players will receive their first cap, with the mid-season clash with the
Combined Nations All Stars not recognised as a Test match.
Tom Davies, Paul Mcshane, Morgan Knowles, Mikolaj Oledzki and Joe Philbin all retain their places alongside debutants Abdull, Niall Evalds and Kruise Leeming, who played for the All Stars against England in June.
Zak Hardaker and Reece Lyne will line up in the centres, meaning Harry Newman has to wait for his debut.
England Knights duo Matty Lees and Danny Walker are the other two players to miss out from the original 20-man squad.
Shaun Wane is without the likes of George Williams and Daryl Clark as well as Tomkins but he is excited about the side he will send out in Perpignan.
He said: “There’s a very positive mood in the camp, a great camaraderie. The lads have trained well and we’re ready to go.
“We have some outstanding leaders in the team, including John Bateman who’ll be captain. And we have other strong leaders too, like Jonny Lomax in the halves and Mike Cooper in the front row.
“This is also a chance for the players to put a marker down for the World Cup. Some of them haven’t featured in an England set-up before and I’m really excited for them.
“Representing your country is a dream and I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do in an England shirt.”
Team: Niall Evalds, Tom Davies, Reece Lyne, Zak Hardaker, Tommy Makinson, Jonny Lomax, Jordan Abdull, Alex Walmsley, Paul Mcshane, Mike Cooper, John Bateman, Liam Farrell, Morgan Knowles. Interchanges: Ben Currie, Kruise Leeming, Mikolaj Oledzki, Joe Philbin.