Tomkins poised to claim World Cup full-back role

Catalans Dragons star Sam Tomkins is in pole position to claim the fullback spot for England’s World Cup campaign, national team coach Shaun Wane has said.

The 32-year-old former Wigan favourite is facing stiff competition for the No1 shirt, with Zak Hardaker, Niall Evalds, Stefan Ratchford and Jake Connor all making impressive starts to the Betfred Super League season. Tomkins, who was full-back for England in their 2013 World Cup semi-final defeat by New Zealand, has begun in sparkling form for his club Catalans.

“I’d say probably Sam [for fullback],” Wane said as he announced his initial squad at St James’ Park, Newcastle, which will host the opening game in 200 days’ time. “Jake Connor has been good, so has Zak but, if you look at the data – fans don’t get access to what I see – I think Sam has been really good.”

Meanwhile, Warrington have appointed Castleford’s Daryl Powell as their new coach from 2022. He will replace Steve Price when the Australian returns to his homeland. England initial squad: J Bateman (Wigan), T Burgess (S Sydney), D Clark, M Cooper, B Currie (all Warrington), N Evalds (Castleford), H Farnworth (Brisbane), L Farrell (Wigan), L Gale (Leeds), O Gildart (Wigan), J Griffin (Hull), A Handley (Leeds), Z Hardaker (Wigan), J Hodgson (Canberra), T Johnstone (Wakefield), T King (Warrington), M Knowles, J Lomax (both St Helens), J Mcgillvary (Huddersfield), P Mcshane (Castleford), T Makinson (St Helens), D Manfredi (Wigan), H Newman (Leeds), M Percival (St Helens), J Philbin, S Ratchford (both Warrington), J Roby (St Helens), D Sarginson (Salford), R Sutton (Canberra), L Thompson (Canterbury Bulldogs), S Tomkins (Catalans), A Walmsley (St Helens), K Watkins (Salford), E Whitehead, G Williams (both Canberra).