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Atkins Included in England Squad for France International

Posted on Wednesday, 03 June 2009 09:07AM by Wakefield Wildcats Media Department
Atkins Included in England Squad for France International


Wakefield Wildcats centre Ryan Atkins has been selected by England Head Coach Tony Smith for the Gillette Fusion International against France.




Atkins was selected in the 17-man Elite Training Squad last month and now looks set to be part of the England team in Paris on June 13th.

Atkins’ selection means that he will miss the Wildcats game against Hull FC on the same day.

Former Wakefield winger Peter Fox has also been included for his form in a Hull KR form in 2009, with Wigan Warriors teen sensation Sam Tomkins also recognised for his impact in engage Super League XIV.  Ex-Wakefield nan Ben Westwood is also included.

Fox is one of three uncapped players – Huddersfield’s Scott Moore, Leeds’ Ryan Hall and Wigan’s Tomkins - have been named in Tony Smith’s 19 man England squad for the first time.

The squad, which will be captained by Leeds Rhinos forward Jamie Peacock, features players from 11 different clubs and is a youthful looking one featuring 12 players who are aged 25 or under.

It also includes 12 players who were not involved in last year’s World Cup in Australia including Huddersfield’s Eorl Crabtree, and Hull KR full-back Shaun Briscoe.


atkinsceltic.jpg

Atkins crossed the whitewash last Saturday against Celtic Crusaders for his eighth try of Super League XIV



Three players who made their debuts in last year’s Gillette Fusion International against Wales – Tony Clubb, Richard Myler and Michael Shenton - also make the squad.

Tony Smith, England head coach, said: “This is a squad featuring a lot of new and exciting faces as well as seasoned campaigners and gives a good blend of youth and experience.  It’s a big team that is full of speed and skill and people who can score tries.

“The players are chosen from a number of Super League clubs.  This I believe is a reflection of the form of some of the players and clubs at the moment and also underlines just how competitive Super League is this season.

“This game against France will also be about looking at a number of new faces to see how they perform on the international stage with one eye on this autumn’s Four Nations.”

As well as playing France in Paris on 13 June, England will also face Bobbie Goulding’s men in this autumn Four Nations tournament which also features Australia and World Champions New Zealand.  England will play France on 23 October at Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium.

Tickets for the Gillette Fusion International between France and England on 13 June at the Jean Bouin stadium, Paris are now available and are priced €5, €10, €15 and €20.  They can be purchased from http://www.ticketnet.fr/shop/en/manif.asp?idmanif=176001&idtier=78768

The game is also live on Sky Sports 2, kick off 8pm (BST) and 9pm (CET).


The full squad is as follows:

Ryan Atkins (Wakefield Wildcats)
Sam Burgess (Bradford Bulls)
Shaun Briscoe (Hull KR)
Tony Clubb (Harlequins RL)
Eorl Crabtree (Huddersfield Giants)
Peter Fox (Hull KR)
James Graham (St. Helens)
Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos)
Gareth Hock (Wigan Warriors)
Danny McGuire (Leeds Rhinos)
Scott Moore (Huddersfield Giants)
Adrian Morley (Warrington Wolves)
Richard Myler (Salford City Reds)
Sean O’Loughlin (Wigan Warriors)
Jamie Peacock (Leeds Rhinos)
James Roby (St. Helens)
Michael Shenton (Castleford Tigers)
Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors)
Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves)

Against France in Paris, England will also be wearing their new PUMA Kit for the first time.


The new PUMA 09/10 England kit is now available from www.rugbyleagueonline.co.uk or 0870 241 6821 for just £45 for adults and £35 for juniors.

For more information about England Rugby League including exclusive interviews with players and coaching staff, please visit www.englandrl.co.uk
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