SMITH AND HOCK IN ENGLAND SIDE

[josie andrews]

England coach Tony Smith has called up Leeds utility back Lee Smith and Wigan forward Gareth Hock for his side's opening World Cup match against Papua New Guinea on Saturday.

Smith has pipped his former Rhinos team-mate Mark Calderwood for the vacant left-wing berth while Hock is rewarded for a strong finish to a season dogged by suspension by being handed the second row spot made vacant by injury to Bradford's Sam Burgess.

The only other change to the side that beat France 56-8 in June is the promotion of St Helens prop James Graham, who will start a match for his country for the first time after five previous appearances as substitute for Great Britain and England.

Graham, the recently-crowned Man of Steel, displaces veteran front rower Adrian Morley, who finished the season for Warrington with a stomach muscle injury, although Smith has not ruled out making a late change.

"Mozza hasn't played for a while so we'll introduce him a bit later in the game if that's how we finally go," Smith told a press conference in Townsville.

"James has been sensational this year and probably deserves a starting position. That's how we're going to go at this stage but, if we feel Mozza should start, we may change."

As expected, Leon Pryce gets the vote ahead of Danny McGuire for the stand-off role while the 22-year-old Smith will take over from Hull KR winger Peter Fox after a man-of-the-match display in the Grand Final.

Smith, who played full-back for Leeds at Old Trafford, has previously represented England at second-tier level in the Federation Shield.

"It's always great to hand out a new cap," said Smith. "It's a great honour for Lee and I know he's going to treasure that moment.

"He's been very good at the back end of this year and he deserves his place."

England team: Paul Wellens (St Helens); Adrian Gardner (St Helens), Martin Gleeson (Warrington), Keith Senior (Leeds), Lee Smith (Leeds); Leon Pryce (St Helens), Rob Burrow (Leeds); Jamie Peacock (Leeds, capt), James Roby (St Helens), James Graham (St Helens), Gareth Hock (Wigan), G Ellis (Leeds), Kevin Sinfield (Leeds).

Subs: Danny McGuire (Leeds), Adrian Morley (Warrington), Maurie Fa'asavalu (St Helens), Jon Wilkin (St Helens).


http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... gland.html

[turf]

:eusa2: for both Hock and Lee Smith.

[shawcross da warrior]

former leeds team-mate claderwood... :conf:


from what i recall calderwood and smith never played in the same team...