England coach Shaun Wane has made several changes to his 19-player squad ahead of Saturday’s Second Test against Australia at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, as the hosts look to keep their Ashes hopes alive.
After suffering a 26–6 defeat at Wembley in the series opener (match report here), Wane has called up fresh faces in a bid to level the series and end Australia’s long-standing Ashes dominance, which stretches back to 1973.
Among the inclusions is AJ Brimson, who is set to make his England debut after switching international allegiance earlier this year. The Gold Coast Titans fullback joins the squad following a standout NRL campaign. Morgan Smithies (Canberra Raiders) and veteran forward Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos) are also named, with Watkins poised to earn his 30th England cap.
Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors) returns at halfback after missing the opening Test, while Wane has retained several key players from the Wembley clash, including George Williams, Tom Johnstone, and Dom Young.
“I needed to make some changes to the side that lost last week at Wembley and I have done that,” said Wane.
“The beauty of having such a strong squad is that we are bringing some really talented players into the side ahead of this weekend’s game, but the fact remains we simply need to be better this time around.
“We are heading to a sold-out Hill Dickinson Stadium, and I have no doubt the English supporters will be that 18th man for us on Saturday afternoon.”
The Hill Dickinson Stadium is a sell-out for Saturday’s Test.
England Squad – Second Test vs Australia
AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans), Daryl Clark (St Helens), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Tom Johnstone (Wakefield Trinity), Morgan Knowles (St Helens), Matty Lees (St Helens), Mikey Lewis (Hull KR), Jez Litten (Hull KR), Mike McMeeken (Wakefield Trinity), Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos), Kai Pearce-Paul (Newcastle Knights), Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors), Morgan Smithies (Canberra Raiders), Owen Trout (Leigh Leopards), Alex Walmsley (St Helens), Jake Wardle (Wigan Warriors), Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos), George Williams (Warrington Wolves), Dom Young (Newcastle Knights).
