South Sydney Rabbitohs forward Sam Burgess returns to England’s squad for their Rugby League World Cup match against Fiji in Hull on Saturday.
Burgess, 24, missed
Saturday’s 42-0 win against Ireland
after picking up a one-match ban for a high tackle in the opening game against Australia.
Wigan pair Lee Mossop and Michael McIlorum are included as coach Steve McNamara makes three changes.
Forward Tom Burgess, hooker James Roby and half-back Gareth Widdop are rested.
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Highlights: England 42-0 Ireland
McIlorum will feature in the tournament for the first time and is set to start at hooker instead of Roby.
“Mickey deserves his call up,” said McNamara. “He has trained tremendously hard. He is an aggressive type of player, who will command the middle of the field.”
England have two points from their opening two Group A matches
after losing 28-20 to favourites Australia
in the first game of the tournament.
McNamara’s men are second in their four-team pool and, with three sides progressing to the quarter-finals, are virtually guaranteed to progress.
But McNamara is determined to go into the last eight on the back of a stylish performance against the Fijians.
The Pacific Islanders
in their opening game before losing 34-2 to the Australians.
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“I get the feeling the group is on the verge of some really big performances and this will be one of them,” said the ex-Bradford Bulls coach.
“We have so far seen a Fiji team that is very exciting to watch with some brilliant outside backs. They have a set of forwards that are as physical as any team in the tournament. I can see why people see them as a threat on Saturday.
“We are looking to improve each week as the tournament moves towards the knockout stages.
“It is important to win against teams in and around you, but at some point you have to make sure all elements that have been positive in every game come together aiming for that complete performance.
“We know that if we are going to win the World Cup that has to happen.”
England’s 19-man squad v Fiji:
Carl Ablett (Leeds Rhinos), Tom Briscoe (Hull FC), George Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Sam Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Rob Burrow (Leeds Rhinos), Rangi Chase (Castleford Tigers), Leroy Cudjoe (Huddersfield Giants), Liam Farrell (Wigan Warriors), Brett Ferres (Huddersfield Giants), James Graham (Canterbury Bulldog), Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos), Chris Hill (Warrington Wolves), Michael McIlorum (Wigan Warriors), Lee Mossop (Wigan Warriors), Sean O’Loughlin (Wigan Warriors), Kevin Sinfield (captain) (Leeds Rhinos), Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors), Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos), Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves).
Article source: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/rugby-henry-four-frame-captaincy-104348234--spt.html
Rugby League World Cup 2013: Sam Burgess returns for England
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