Four Nations Preview Part 1

[josie andrews]

We begin our four part Gillette Four Nations Tournament lookahead with host nation ENGLAND coached by Steve McNamara.

There are high hopes for England with the aim at least a place in the Showpiece Final at Elland Road on the 19th November but will be tested severly by both Australia at Wembley and the Kiwis at the KC.

England Coach Steve McNamara has searched high and low for the best talent available and has included Castleford's Rangi Chase and from down under Chris Heighington from West Tigers and Jack Reed from Brisbane who all qualify to play for the host nation.

Wigan have two players in the England squad in Sam Tomkins and Michael McIlorum, Skipper Sean O'Loughlin missing out due to a hip operation.

History

England enjoy a unique position within Rugby League history having given birth to the sport in 1895 when disillusioned clubs from the north of England rebelled against their southern counterparts to form their own breakaway league. It became known as the Northern Union, predecessor to the modern day Rugby Football League.

The first ever Rugby League international test was played several years later in 1904, when representatives of the Northern Union, which was effectively an England side, played against a team of players of other nationalities and lost 9-3.

With Rugby League spreading around the world during the 1905-1907 period, England, under the team banner of Great Britain, played host to the famous New Zealand ‘All Golds' touring side in 1907 and then to the first ever Australian touring side in 1908. In 1910, England then embarked on their first ever Rugby League tour, playing numerous games in both New Zealand and Australia.

England have appeared in both of the Four Nations tournaments held to date. Prior to this, England formed part of the Great Britain team which competed in the previous Tri-Nation tournaments from which the current competition has evolved

England Fixtures

Saturday 29th October - England v Wales, LSV 2,30pm KO

Saturday 5th November - England v Australia, Wembley, 3.30pm KO

Saturday 12th November - England v New Zealand, KC Stadium, Hull, 6.00pm KO

Saturday 19th November -Final, Elland Road, Leeds 6.00pm KO

England Squad - Captain Jamie Peacock

Carl Ablett (Leeds Rhinos, Hunslet Parkside)
Ryan Bailey (Leeds Rhinos, Milford)
Tom Briscoe (Hull FC, Featherstone Lions)
Garreth Carvell (Warrington Wolves, Stanningley)
Rangi Chase (Castleford Tigers, Dannevirke Tigers)
Leroy Cudjoe (Huddersfield Giants, Newsome Panthers)
Gareth Ellis (Wests Tigers, Lock Lane)
James Graham (St Helens, Blackbrook)
Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos, Oulton Raiders)
Chris Heighington (Wests Tigers, Umina Bunnies)
Ben Jones-Bishop (Leeds Rhinos, Milford)
Jamie Jones-Buchanan (Leeds Rhinos, Stanningley)
Jonny Lomax (St Helens, Orrell St James)
Michael McIlorum (Wigan Warriors, Queens)
Adrian Morley (Warrington Wolves, Eccles)
Jamie Peacock (captain) (Leeds Rhinos, Stanningley)
Jack Reed (Brisbane Broncos, South Logan Magpies)
James Roby (St Helens, Blackbrook)
Kevin Sinfield (Leeds Rhinos, Waterhead)
Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors. Wigan St Pats)
Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves, Normanton)
Gareth Widdop (Melbourne Storm, King Cross)
Jon Wilkin (St Helens, East Hull)
Kirk Yeaman (Hull FC, Myton Warriors)

Coaches Comments

"I am really happy with the balance of the squad. There is an excellent blend of strength, experience and flair and we have real quality in every department.

"For the squad and my coaching staff it is important to look forward and make sure we are fully prepared and ready for what should be an excellent Gillette Four Nations tournament.

"One of the pleasing aspects for me is the significant amount of home grown talent that has come through the Academy system. At least three quarters of the squad is made up of players that are Federation Trained and that just shows the strength we now have and the clear pathway we are trying to promote."

http://www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.a ... &type=news

[josie andrews]

By experience I presume he means "old".....

[bourbon_rat]

Maybe Mcbanana heard that the French,(Goulding) had picked his team mate as the french half & got worried