Alex Walmsley withdrawn from England squad on medical grounds

Josh McAllister

Alex Walmsley will spearhead the St Helens forward pack

Alex Walmsley has been withdrawn from Shaun Wane’s England squad for Friday’s mid-season international test on medical grounds.

Walmsley, 31, was set to feature for England against Combined Nations All Stars this Friday at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, but has been withdrawn from the 19-man squad due to experiencing discomfort with an existing knee ailment.

England confirmed that the injury is minor, but medical staff have recommended a precautionary approach.

England squad: John Bateman (Wigan Warriors); Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Ben Currie (all Warrington Wolves); Tom Davies (Catalans Dragons); Liam Farrell (Wigan Warriors); Luke Gale, Ash Handley (both Leeds Rhinos); Morgan Knowles (St Helens); Reece Lyne (Wakefield Trinity); Jonny Lomax (St Helens); Paul McShane (Castleford Tigers); Tommy Makinson (St Helens); Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos); Joe Philbin, Stefan Ratchford (both Warrington Wolves); Sam Tomkins (Catalans Dragons); Joe Westerman (Wakefield Trinity).

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