Wolves duo added to England squads (From Warrington Guardian)

Warrington Wolves' Ryan Atkins and Chris Hill added to England squads

11:46am Monday 3rd September 2012 in Wolves news

RYAN Atkins has been added to Steve McNamara’s 28-man England Elite Training Squad ahead of the forthcoming Autumn Triangular tournament against France and Wales.

Atkins has been added after appearing for England in the International Origin matches, but his selection comes at the expense of Warrington Wolves teammate Chris Bridge , who misses out after his initial selection in March.

England boss McNamara still believes Bridge can fight for his place going forward and has not ruled out the possibility of a return to the squad.

“With the Rugby League World Cup just over 12 months away our planning and preparation will step up over the year ahead to make sure we are competitive and ready to make a huge impact on the tournament,” he said.

“Ultimately, my ambition is to have a squad capable of winning the World Cup for the first time since 1972 and we are heading in the right direction.

“Every opportunity with the players’ I have is vital. We have some exciting plans that will make us the best prepared side to come from these shores in history.”

“The door is not shut on those that have missed out this time around.

“As we approach the business end of the season, there is a lot to play for and there is no doubt that some players will progress and push for a place in the squad during the autumn series.

“We have a number of NRL based players that will be involved too and it is imperative that we continue to have competition for places across all positions.”

Warrington Wolves have also increased their representation in the second tier England Knights squad, which welcomes Warrington’s hugely impressive new prop Chris Hill to the 29-man squad that will make their debut in the Alitalia Cup against Ireland and Scotland next month.

He joins fellow Wolves players Mike Cooper, Rhys Evans, Ben Harrison, Richie Myler, Chris Riley and Stefan Ratchford in the Knights squad.

England Elite Training Squad: Carl Ablett (Leeds Rhinos), Ryan Atkins (Warrington Wolves) , Tom Briscoe (Hull FC), Danny Brough (Huddersfield Giants), Rob Burrow (Leeds Rhinos), Garreth Carvell (Warrington Wolves) , Josh Charnley (Wigan Warriors), Rangi Chase (Castleford Tigers), Eorl Crabtree (Huddersfield Giants), Leroy Cudjoe (Huddersfield Giants), Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos), Zak Hardaker (Leeds Rhinos), Gareth Hock (Wigan Warriors), Ben Jones-Bishop (Leeds Rhinos), Jamie Jones-Buchanan (Leeds Rhinos), Jonny Lomax (St Helens), Danny McGuire (Leeds Rhinos), Michael McIlorum (Wigan Warriors), Adrian Morley (Warrington Wolves) , Lee Mossop (Wigan Warriors), Sean O’Loughlin (Wigan Warriors), James Roby (St Helens), Kevin Sinfield (Leeds Rhinos), Danny Tickle (Hull FC), Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors), Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos), Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves) , Jon Wilkin (St Helens).

England Knights Squad: Jodie Broughton (Salford City Reds), Tom Burgess (Bradford Bulls), Daryl Clark (Castleford Tigers), Chris Clarkson (Leeds Rhinos), Paul Clough (St Helens), Mike Cooper (Warrington Wolves) , Kieran Dixon (London Broncos), Greg Eden (Huddersfield Giants), Rhys Evans (Warrington Wolves) , Liam Farrell (Wigan Warriors), Mark Flanagan (St Helens), Luke Gale (Bradford Bulls), Ben Harrison (Warrington Wolves) , Chris Hill (Warrington Wolves) , Josh Hodgson (Hull KR), Danny Houghton (Hull FC), Jack Hughes (Wigan Warriors), Michael Lawrence (Huddersfield Giants), Shaun Lunt (Huddersfield Giants), Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield Giants), Richie Myler (Warrington Wolves) , Larne Patrick (Huddersfield Giants), Stefan Ratchford (Warrington Wolves) , Chris Riley (Warrington Wolves) , Matty Smith (Salford City Reds), Scott Taylor (Hull KR), Jordan Turner (Hull FC), Joe Wardle (Huddersfield Giants), Joe Westerman (Hull FC).