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DIEHARD
08-10-08, 09:32 AM
England World Cup Squad

England coach Tony Smith has named his 24 man squad for the Rugby League World Cup which kicks off on Saturday 25 October and it includes 15 players who were involved in Saturday's engage Super League Grand Final.

Captained by Jamie Pea****, the squad features eight players from champions Leeds Rhinos and seven from defeated finalists St Helens.

Saturday's Harry Sunderland man of the match winner Lee Smith earns his first international call-up under Coach Tony Smith capping off a superb week for the 22 year old.

Three of this year's Wigan Warriors side - Gareth Hock, Mark Calderwood and Mickey Higham also make the squad, as do a trio of Warrington Wolves - Martin Gleeson, Adrian Morley and Ben Westwood.

The Bradford Bulls duo of Jamie Langley and Paul Sykes also make the 24, as does Sykes' former team mate Rob Purdham of Harlequins RL.

In total 16 of the 19 players who travelled to France earlier this year for the Gillette Fusion International against France make the flight to Australia. Those who miss out are Sam Burgess, Peter Fox and Joe Westerman.

The squad features eight players from this year's engage Super League Dream Team as well as four winners of the prestigious Man of Steel award - James Graham, Jamie Pea****, Paul Wellens and James Roby.

England fly out to Australia on Monday 13 October ready for their first game in Townsville against Papua New Guinea on Saturday 25 October.

They then face games against Australia in Melbourne on Sunday 2 November and New Zealand on Saturday 8 November.

It is anticipated that a number of Smith's World Cup squad will play in Friday's Gillette Fusion International against Wales at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium, a game where fans can give the squad a suitable send off before they fly to Australia.

Tickets starting from 10 are still for the Keepmoat and can be purchased from the RFL Box Office on 0871 226 1313 or via www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk

England World Cup squad:

Rob Burrow (Leeds Rhinos), Mark Calderwood (Wigan Warriors), Gareth Ellis (Leeds Rhinos), Mauire Fa'asavalu (St Helens), Ade Gardner (St Helens), Martin Gleeson (Warrington Wolves), James Graham (St Helens), Mickey Higham (Wigan Warriors), Gareth Hock (Wigan Warriors), Jamie Jones Buchanan (Leeds Rhinos), Jamie Langley (Bradford Bulls), Danny McGuire (Leeds Rhinos), Adrian Morley (Warrington Wolves), Jamie Pea**** (Leeds Rhinos), Leon Pryce (St Helens), Rob Purdham (Harlequins RL), James Roby (St Helens), Keith Senior (Leeds Rhinos), Kevin Sinfield (Leeds Rhinos), Lee Smith (Leeds Rhinos), Paul Sykes (Bradford Bulls), Paul Wellens (St Helens), Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves), Jon Wilkin (St Helens)

Source: http://www.englandrl.co.uk