WOLVES and England chief Tony Smith has rubbished suggestions that club allegiances influenced the selection of his latest national team squad.

Despite the club’s 10th-place league finish, there is a strong Warrington presence in the squads for both Saturday’s Test against Wales and the forthcoming Four Nations tournament.

The inclusion of Chris Bridge caused the most surprise, his selection labelled a ‘shock’ by most of the national press, even after a breakthrough season at club level for the 25-year-old centre.

And fans across the league have complained about a perceived bias towards Warrington, who picked up one of only two domestic trophies on offer this season after winning the Challenge Cup in August.

Wolves’ four representatives in the squad - Bridge, Adrian Morley, Garreth Carvell and Ben Westwood - mean only champions Leeds are better represented, with five players. Beaten Grand Finalists St Helens also have four, while third-placed Huddersfield and fourth-placed Hull KR both have two.

There are also six Warrington players in the 20-man squad for Saturday’s Test against Wales, Ben Harrison and Mickey Higham being added to the quartet who made the full squad.

Wolves signing Richie Myler, who will join the club ahead of next season has also made the cut for both squads.

But Smith has dismissed any thoughts of nepotism and insists every player selected in his young squad is worthy of their place.

He said: “I’m not the sole selector and anybody who’s selected in the process goes through the same scrutiny that all the players go through, so there’s no chance of that.

“I think it’s time to put some fresh faces in. I think we’ve got some good young people coming through.

“They deserve a chance and also deserve to gain some experience and there’s only one way to do that and that’s by picking them.

“Each of the young people that you see in those positions have had tremendous years and deserve to be there.”

And Morley, who will captain England against Wales, was quick to support his coach for club and country.

“None of those guys are getting the sympathy vote,” he said.

“They’re all here on merit, they’ve all had fantastic seasons and after being given this chance you will also see a marked improvement in them.

“The fact Wolves have got so many boys in can only be good and it’s a sign of what we have achieved this season.”

Smith reserved special praise for Bridge, who has overcome persistent injury problems to earn an England call-up for the first time.

The Oldham-born star suffered a slow start to the season as he struggled to shake off an Achilles problem that limited him to two appearances in 2008 but recovered to become an integral part of Warrington’s first Challenge Cup win in 35 years.

A strong, quick utility back with an eye for a gap and dazzling feet, Bridge has shaken off the ‘jack of all trades’ tag to nail down a spot at right centre.

“He’s been pretty consistent, especially towards the back end of the year,” said Smith.

“It took him a bit of time to overcome his injury that he had from last year but he’s turned into a very dangerous and good player.

“Every time he gets the ball in his hands he’s able to cause problems for his opponents and I’ve got no doubt he’ll be able to do that at the next level.

“He’s ambitious and he plays in a position the country isn’t exactly flush for numbers in.

“He stood out pretty well this year and I’m sure, given the chance, he’ll do well.”