Smith opts for experience in England World Cup squad but no go for Fielden

Tony Smith has gone for experience in his 24-man World cup squad but has decided against picking Wigan prop Stuart Fielden, a mainstay of the international set up from the 2000 World Cup to his ill-fated 2006 Tri-Nations tour to Australia and New Zealand.The shock inclusion in the party is Bradford back-rower Jamie Langley, who was part of Smith’s first  Great Britain team against France last year. The Bulls player is among eight back-row forwards selected but with only four specialist props chosen in skipper Jamie Peacock, the vastly experienced Adrian Morley, 2008 Man of Steel James Graham and his St Helens team-mate, Maurie Fa’asavalu. The Warrington-bound Garreth Carvell misses out and there is no room for Leeds hooker Matt Diskin.

It is disappointing that neither Joe Westerman, Super League’s young player of the year, or his Castleford colleague Michael Shenton have made the cut. Hull KR wing Peter Fox is the only player dropped from the side that walloped France 56-8 in Toulouse in June. He makes way for Wigan’s Hull-bound Mark Calderwood, the Scot who turned to England. As well as Langley, there is a recall for his Bradford team-mate, centre Paul Sykes, who also made his full international debut against France at Headingley in 2007.

Only Calderwood, Rob Purdham, Lee Smith and Ben Westwood have not played a full international level, but all four have represented England at second-tier level, with Purdham captaining them to a Federation Shield triumph in 2006. The bulk of the squad is inevitably comprised of Leeds and St Helens players after last Saturday’s Grand Final, 15 in all. Smith’s pledge to pick on form accounts for Jamie Jones-Buchanan’s call up and the return of Wigan’s Gareth Hock, who had a storming play-offs series after completing a five match suspension.

No-one should be in any doubt, however, that it is a squad built to win the World Cup. The strengths in the pack are self evident, but Smith needs Rob Burrow, Leon Pryce and Danny McGuire to stay fit in terms of his half back options and the back line permutations are solid rather than spectacular.

England squad: Keith Senior, Danny McGuire, Rob Burrow, Jamie Peacock (captain), Gareth Ellis, Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Lee Smith (all Leeds), Paul Wellens, Ade Gardner, Leon Pryce, James Graham, James Roby, Maurie Fa'asavalu, Jon Wilkin (all St Helens), Rob Purdham (Harlequins), Mark Calderwood, Mickey Higham, Gareth Hock (all Wigan), Martin Gleeson, Adrian Morley, Ben Westwood (all Warrington), Jamie Langley, Paul Sykes (both Bradford).

TONY SMITH BANKS ON SPEED TO GIVE AUSTRALIA RUN FOR THEIR MONEY - READ THE ENGLAND SQUAD STORY FROM WEDNESDAY'S TIMES HERE

Comments

[Michael]

Tony Smith knows a lot more than I could learn in two lifetimes, but I can't help wondering.

Given that every side plays 4 props per game, I'm worried that a couple of injuries could leave us very light up-front.

James Graham is a more than useful 2nd row if it comes to that.

If Burgess was fit we'd be taking 5 props, so it looks as if he just doesn't fancy any of the other front-row options.

[Michael]

Tony Smith knows a lot more than I could learn in two lifetimes, but I can't help wondering.

Given that every side plays 4 props per game, I'm worried that a couple of injuries could leave us very light up-front.

James Graham is a more than useful 2nd row if it comes to that.

If Burgess was fit we'd be taking 5 props, so it looks as if he just doesn't fancy any of the other front-row options.

[Smitty]

You'll find Phil that they're taking Morley and he's injured. Nope Westerman's been cut out. Smith has gone for experience and pace.

[Phil]

Were you actually at the press conference Chris?

Westerman is injured, not cut.

[mike]

"I would have liked to see a prop who could move back into the second row if necessary rather than have to move second rows up to prop"

Not needed we are oversupplied in that area already, we need back row player that can be pushed forward to prop if needed

[Mark]

I would have liked to see a prop who could move back into the second row if necessary rather than have to move second rows up to prop - Louis McCarthy Scarsbrook comes to mind but good luck to which ever team gets put out in the World Cup.