Myler to partner Sinfield for England
Warrington scrum-half Richie Myler will partner captain Kevin Sinfield for England against Wales in Saturday’s Autumn International at Wrexham (2.30pm).
Myler has been in sensational form for his club side Warrington during 2012 when he collected a Challenge Cup final winners’ medal at Wembley Stadium and helped his side reach their first Super League Grand Final.
Myler will wear England senior colours for the first time since June 2011, when he scored a try in the defeat to the Exiles in the inaugural International Origin fixture at Headingley Carnegie Stadium, and he cannot wait to be back on the international stage.
“It is great to be back,” said Myler. “As a player you strive to be part of the international set-up and to get another chance at this level is good.
“With Warrington I achieved quite a bit this season and wearing that England jersey will top off the year. Every player loves to play for their country and I’m no different. I want to make sure that I play to the best of my ability. I know I’m good enough at this level and it is up to me to show some consistency in my play and make a strong impression.”
England coach Steve McNamara is looking forward to his new combination in the middle of the park and relishes the healthy competition he now has at his disposal within the national team.
“Richie deserves his place in the squad. He has been one of the form halves in the Super League this campaign and can now prosper as the man in the driving seat,” he said.
“It has been good to see Richie and Kevin working well together in practice and I want to see them take their qualities into battle against Wales. They will get us around the park and lay the platform we need to be creative in our offensive play.
“My aim has always been to have healthy competition in every position and that is starting to come to fruition. We have a great blend in this squad with some young, effervescent talent alongside some experience old heads.
“It is alien for us to begin a competition as favourites. We will judge ourselves by what we want to achieve not the opposition.”
With the Rugby League World Cup just 12 months away, McNamara knows that all his player have a lot to prove and the forthcoming tournament will give him a clear indication which players are ready for a battle in World Cup year.
“This is the start of a long journey to the World Cup and our aim is to win this competition and continue the progression into next year,” added McNamara
“Our job at the end of the next season is to get the players in the best physical and mental shape as we can to go and win the World Cup.
“We’ve practised that this year and definitely we will see some positive results from it albeit by maybe tweaking some things.
“It is now down to the players to perform and give themselves every chance of forcing their way into my plans.”
England’s opening match in the Autumn International Series will see them face Wales at the Glyndwr University Racecourse Ground in Wrexham on Saturday October 27 (2.30pm).
Their first ‘home’ fixture takes place a week later, Saturday November 3, at MS3 Craven Park in Hull when England host France in a match which also kicks off at 2.30pm.
The Autumn International Series concludes with the final at Salford City Stadium on Sunday November 11 (5.00pm).
Tickets for the 2012 Autumn International Series fixtures, Wales v England at the Glyndwr University Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, on Saturday October 27 cost from £15 (£7.50 concessions) and can be purchased by calling 01978 294404 or by visiting sportsbookings@glyndwr.ac.uk
Tickets for England v France, at MS3 Craven Park on Saturday November 3 and the final of the 2012 Autumn International Series at Salford City Stadium on Sunday November 11 cost just £12 for adults and £6 concessions and can be purchased by calling the RFL Ticket Office on 0844 856 1113 or by visiting www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk