Jordan Abdull: Man of Metal shortlistee set for England debut subsequent weekend

Hull KR half-back prone to line up alongside Jonny Lomax towards France on Saturday; Castleford full-back Niall Evalds additionally set for a debut; Sam Tomkins misses out because of a knee damage

Jordan Abdull has been sensible for Hull KR this season

Hull KR half-back Jordan Abdull is ready to win his first cap for England in subsequent Saturday’s Take a look at towards France in Perpignan.

The 25-year-old former Hull FC and London Broncos participant’s choice in a 20-man squad is reward for an outstanding season with the shock Tremendous League semi-finalists, which additionally earned him a spot on the Man of Metal shortlist.

As one in every of solely two specialist half-backs within the squad, Abdull appears to be like sure to line up alongside Jonny Lomax, one in every of 5 gamers from champions St Helens.

Niall Evalds may get the nod to start out for England at full-back

There’s additionally prone to be a debut for Castleford full-back Niall Evalds within the absence of Sam Tomkins – who, as anticipated, is dominated out with the knee damage he carried into the Grand Remaining with Catalans Dragons.

It means coach Shaun Wane must appoint a brand new captain rather than Tomkins, who led England for the primary time within the mid-season recreation towards a Mixed Nations All Stars.

Different potential new caps embrace Leeds centre Harry Newman, who has made a full restoration from a double leg break, and St Helens prop Matty Lees, who was in the England Knights team that defeated Jamaica 56-4 at Castleford on Friday night.

One other Knight, captain Danny Walker, can also be promoted within the absence of his injured Warrington team-mate Daryl Clark.

Coach Shaun Wane says his workforce shall be ‘able to do England proud’

Wane stated: “Issues are all the time going to be fluid up to some extent with kind and accidents however I am more than pleased that now we have the gamers to get the job performed.

“Each participant is in on benefit they usually know what’s anticipated of them. Every one is a credit score to their membership, they’ve tailored themselves effectively at coaching, and produce a really constructive mindset.

“There is no doubt it is going to be robust. Catalans Dragons gamers dominate the French squad and their followers are fanatical.

“We’ll work laborious in coaching this week and we’ll be raring to go come recreation day. The gamers are able to do England proud.”

France’s new coach Laurent Frayssinous should additionally discover a new captain after shedding Ben Garcia, Theo Fages and Julian Bousquet to damage, and he’ll announce his man when the squad goes into camp on Tuesday.

England squad: J Abdull (Hull KR), B Currie (Warrington), T Davies (Catalans), N Evalds (Castleford), J Bateman (Wigan), M Cooper (Warrington), L Farrell, Z Hardaker (each Wigan), M Knowles (St Helens), Ok Leeming (Leeds), M Lees, J Lomax (each St Helens), R Lynne (Wakefield), Paul McShane (Castleford), T Makinson (St Helens), H Newman (Leeds), M Oledzki (Leeds), J Philbin, D Walker (each Warrington), Alex Walmsley (St Helens).