Fox and Westerman make England squad
Hull KR's Peter Fox earns first international call-up to England squad
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Monday, 23, Jun 2008 01:07
Hull KR's Peter Fox and Castleford Tigers' Joe Westerman have earned their first international call-ups as part of the England squad to play France this week.
Fox, a 23-year-old winger, has impressed as part of a talented backs division at Craven Park this season, while loose forward Westerman is enjoying life back in Super League with the newly-promoted Tigers.
Both men join the 19-man set-up, which features 16 of the players who earned a 3-0 series whitewash over New Zealand last autumn.
England coach Tony Smith said: "I have picked a strong squad which is based on current form, but also one which includes a few new faces from the squad which beat the Kiwis last autumn.
"The trip to France will give us good experience ahead of the World Cup. I won't just be looking at how they perform on the pitch this week but also how they interact with each other in camp.
"This is their opportunity to impress and, providing they maintain their form over the remainder of the season, potentially book their flights to Australia for the World Cup."
Smith added that the inclusion of Fox and Westerman was a testament to their form at club level so far in 2008 and said they have a genuine chance of playing themselves into contention for the World Cup.
"Peter and Joe have both had good seasons with their clubs and are included in the squad on merit," he continued.
"I expect the game against France to be a tough one especially in the forwards.
"Catalans Dragons' success this year has been built on a strong pack, and the majority of those players will be turning out for France this Friday."
The squad for the match features six players from Super League champions Leeds Rhinos and seven from current Challenge Cup holders St Helens.
The full 19-man England squad is as follows:
Jamie Peacock - Leeds Rhinos, captain
Sam Burgess - Bradford Bulls
Rob Burrow - Leeds Rhinos
Gareth Ellis - Leeds Rhinos
Marie Fa'asavalu - St Helens
Peter Fox - Hull KR
Ade Gardner - St Helens
Martin Gleeson - Warrington Wolves
Danny McGuire - Leeds Rhinos
Adrian Morley - Warrington Wolves
Leon Pryce - St Helens
James Roby - St Helens
Keith Senior - Leeds Rhinos
Kevin Sinfield - Leeds Rhinos
Paul Wellens - St Helens
Joe Westerman - Castleford Tigers
Ben Westwood - Warrington Wolves
James Graham - St Helens
Jon Wilkin - St Helens