Tomkins handed England starting berth
Tomkins comes in for Myler.
Thursday, 29, Oct 2009 03:48
By Will Haine.
England have added Sam Tomkins and Eorl Crabtree to their squad for Saturday's Four Nations clash against Australia.
Wigan Warriors half-back Tomkins, Super League's young player of the year, goes into the starting line-up in place of Richie Myler.
Myler missed the closing stages of the 34-12 win against France through concussion but England head coach Tony Smith admitted that Tomkins, who scored a hat-trick of tries on debut against Wales, was in his plans anyway.
"Richie has still got a bit of a head knock but Sam was going to get a chance this week," he said.
"It gives us a chance to compare the two and decide which way we go for the final week.
"I've got lot of faith in both those young men but it's Sam's go this week."
Meanwhile front rower Crabtree of the Huddersfield Giants is named among the replacements as club-mate Scott Moore is dropped.
James Roby will start at hooker in place of Moore and captain Jamie Peacock switches to the second row to accommodate prop James Graham, with Sam Burgess dropping to the bench.
England squad:
S Briscoe; T Briscoe, Smith, Shenton, Hall; McGuire, Tomkins; Morley, Roby, Graham, Ellis, Peacock (capt), Sinfield. Replacements: Burgess, Crabtree, Eastmond, Westwood.