Chris Hill and Richie Myler among five Warrington Wolves players in England squad (From Warrington Guardian)

Chris Hill and Richie Myler among five Warrington Wolves players in England squad

10:33am Tuesday 2nd October 2012 in Wolves news

FIVE Warrington Wolves players are in Steve McNamara’s 24-man squad for England’s forthcoming high-altitude training camp to South Africa and the Autumn International Series against France and Wales commencing later this month.

Wolves prop Chris Hill earns his first ever call-up to the senior squad after impressing in his first full season in the Super League.

He is joined by Ryan Atkins, Adrian Morley, Richie Myler and Ben Westwood.

“One player who has impressed me throughout the Super League season is Warrington’s Chris Hill and deserves his call-up to the senior squad,” said McNamara.

“I want to see how he, along with the other young players, adapts to the rigors of international competition. It will be great for their development to be training and playing alongside the likes of Sam Burgess and Kevin Sinfield.”

Fellow Grand Finalists Leeds have the biggest representation of seven players - Carl Ablett, Rob Burrow, Ryan Hall, Zak Hardaker, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Kevin Sinfield and Kallum Watkins.

Two NRL based players will have their first taste of representative competition in 2012 – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs prop James Graham is joined by South Sydney Rabbitohs Sam Burgess, who returns to the international set-up for the first time since 2010.

Melbourne Storm half-back Gareth Widdop, who played a pivotal role in his club’s Grand Final victory over Graham’s Bulldogs last Sunday, and Brisbane Broncos centre Jack Reed both miss out with shoulder injuries and will undergo surgery in the close season.

Other notable absentees include Huddersfield Giants prop Eorl Crabtree (shoulder), St Helens forward Jon Wilkin (shoulder and elbow) and Hull FC’s Danny Tickle (bicep).

St Helens hooker James Roby is rested alongside Leeds half-back Danny McGuire.

“This year’s international programme, including our camp to South Africa, is all about fine tuning our preparations ahead of the Rugby League World Cup in just over a year’s time,” added McNamara.

“The Autumn Internationals will be a tough test against two nations (France and Wales) who are making good progress. Like us, they will use this tournament as preparation ahead of the World Cup. We want to make sure we play to our very best and win well.”

The 2012 Autumn International Series tournament schedule in full:

Saturday October 20 – France v Wales (Stade-Félix-Bollaert, Lens, 3.00pm) Saturday October 27 – Wales v England (Glyndwr University Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, 2.30pm)

Saturday November 3 – England v France (MS3 Craven Park, Hull, 2.30pm) Sunday November 11 – Final (Salford City Stadium, 5.00pm).

England squad for the 2012 Autumn International Series:

Carl Ablett Leeds Rhinos

Ryan Atkins Warrington Wolves

Tom Briscoe Hull FC

Sam Burgess South Sydney Rabbitohs

Rob Burrow Leeds Rhinos

Josh Charnley Wigan Warriors

Rangi Chase Castleford Tigers

Leroy Cudjoe Huddersfield Giants

Gareth Ellis Hull FC

James Graham Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Ryan Hall Leeds Rhinos

Zak Hardaker Leeds Rhinos

Chris Hill Warrington Wolves

Gareth Hock Wigan Warriors

Jamie Jones-Buchanan Leeds Rhinos

Michael McIlorum Wigan Warriors

Adrian Morley Warrington Wolves

Lee Mossop Wigan Warriors

Richard Myler Warrington Wolves

Sean O’Loughlin Wigan Warriors

Kevin Sinfield Leeds Rhinos

Sam Tomkins Wigan Warriors

Kallum Watkins Leeds Rhinos

Ben Westwood Warrington Wolves

 

 

 

Tickets for the 2012 Autumn International Series matches cost just £12 (adults) and £6 concessions) and are available to purchase from the RFL Ticket Office on 0844 8561113 or by visiting www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk