McNamara names unchanged team
England coach Steve McNamara has kept faith with same 17 that defeated France 32-18 in last week’s international for England‘s 2011 Gillette Four Nations opener against Wales at Leigh Sports Village on Saturday, kick off 2.30pm.
Castleford Tigers half-back Rangi Chase will look to improve on his man-of-the-match performance in Avignon by retaining the scrum half role alongside Leeds Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield, who will continue kicking duties for the national team.
“It is an opportunity for that group of players to rectify some of the errors we made in the game against France and bring in some consistency,” said national coach Steve McNamara.
“There were some great signs in our play last week and we are looking for the key partnerships to gel and prosper.
“The team have worked hard in training all week and there has been a great ethic about our training regime. We have worked on trying to manage the game properly and build sustain pressure on the opposition so we can create momentum and more frequent scoring opportunities.
“We feel Wales will be a step up from France and they will be very strong and physical showing great passion. I want the players to concentrate on our game and be the very best we can be to make sure we win the game and get our campaign off to a strong start.”
The England team to face Wales at Leigh Sports Village on Saturday October 29, kick off 2.30pm (local time) is as follows (professional club and community club in brackets):
1 Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Pats)
2 Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos, Oulton Raiders)
3 Jack Reed (Brisbane Broncos, South Logan Magpies)
4 Kirk Yeaman (Hull FC, Myton Warriors)
5 Tom Briscoe (Hull FC, Featherstone Lions)
6 Kevin Sinfield (Leeds Rhinos, Waterhead)
7 Rangi Chase (Castleford Tigers, Dannevirke Tigers)
8 James Graham (St Helens, Blackbrook)
9 James Roby (St Helens, Blackbrook)
10 Jamie Peacock © (Leeds Rhinos, Stanningley)
11 Gareth Ellis (Wests Tigers, Lock Lane)
12 Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves, Normanton)
13 Chris Heighington (Wests Tigers, Umina Bunnies)
14 Gareth Widdop (Melbourne Storm, King Cross)
15 Adrian Morley (Warrington Wolves, Eccles)
16 Jamie Jones-Buchanan (Leeds Rhinos, Stanningley)
17 Jon Wilkin (St Helens, East Hull)
England start their Gillette Four Nations campaign on Saturday October 29 when they take on Wales at Leigh Sports Village (2.30pm) with tickets priced at just £10 adults and £5 concessions.
The tournament moves to Wembley Stadium on Saturday November 5 when Wales face New Zealand at 1.00pm before England clash with Australia at 3.30pm.
England‘s remaining game against New Zealand will be played at the KC Stadium in Hull on Saturday November 12 (6.00pm) and tickets are priced from £20 adult and £10 concession.
The 2011 Gillette Four Nations final will be played at Elland Road, Leeds on Saturday November 19 (6.00pm) and tickets are priced from £20 Adult and £10 concession.
Tickets for the 2011 Gillette Four Nations can be purchased by calling 0844 856 1113 or by visiting www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk