Smith names initial England squad

Tony Smith has named thirteen players from engage Super League clubs which missed out on the play-offs in the England train-on squad.

More players will be added to the squad as teams are eliminated from the play-offs.

Smith has named Salford City Reds half-back Stefan Ratchford in the squad, along with his erstwhile team mate Richie Myler.

“It’s a great honour to be called up,” said Myler. “I feel lucky to be going out there and playing Super League every week but this really is a big deal for me.

“The club have been great and I really have to thank them for giving me the opportunity to play in Super League.  I now have another great opportunity ahead of me and intend to go out and make the most of it.”

Myler will be at Smith’s Warrington next season, and the Wolves boss named four more of his own players in the squad: Garreth Carvell, Mick Higham, Adrian Morley and Ben Westwood.

Tom Briscoe, 19, joins Hull teammate Danny Tickle in a squad that also includes Sam Burgess and Paul Sykes from Bradford, Tony Clubb and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook from Harlequins and Gareth Ellis from Wests Tigers.

The 24-man squad for the Gillette Four Nations will be named on Monday 12th October with the warm-up game against Wales in Bridgend the following Saturday.