Smith and Hock to start England opener
Lee Smith to win his fifth cap for England v Papua New Guinea
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Thursday, 23, Oct 2008 11:18
Lee Smith and Gareth Hock have both been named in the England starting lineup for their World Cup opener against Papua New Guinea on Saturday.
Winger Smith, who will be winning his fifth cap against the Oceanic nation, has impressed in the run-up to the tournament – scooping the man-of-the-match award in Leeds Rhinos grand final win over St Helens, despite being played out of position at full-back.
Hock has only one cap to his name and has been named in place of first-choice second-row forward Sam Burgess, who misses the tournament through injury.
The only other change from the team that beat France 56-8 in England's last full-strength international match sees Saints prop James Graham - who won the 2008 Man of Steel award - replace Warrington captain Adrian Morley in the front row.
The four interchanges are a good example of England's decent strength in depth, with Morley joined by Leeds star Danny McGuire and St Helens duo Maurie Fa'asavalu and Jon Wilkin.
However, head coach Tony Smith has not ruled out a last-minute change of personnel nearer to kick-off.
"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."
Full England lineup for Saturday's match against Papua New Guinea (kick-off: 09:55 BST):
1. Paul Wellens
2. Ade Gardner
3. Martin Gleeson
4 Keith Senior
5. Lee Smith
6. Leon Pryce
7. Rob Burrow
8. Jamie Peacock (captain)
9. James Roby
10. James Graham
11. Gareth Hock
12. Gareth Ellis
13. Kevin Sinfield
Interchanges:
14. Danny McGuire
15, Maurie Fa'asavalu
16. Adrian Morley
17. Jon Wilkin