International call-up for Warrington Wolves' Ben Currie

WARRINGTON’S young centre Ben Currie has won his first international call-up from England coach Steve McNamara for this autumn’s International Series against France and New Zealand.

Mike Cooper

There is also a call-up for former Warrington Wolves’ Prop Mike Cooper, who toured last year but is still to be capped.

The 24-man squad also includes Warrington forwards Ben Westwood and Chris Hill, and former Prop Mike Cooper who now plays in Australia.

The squad will be captained by Wigan Warriors Sean O’Loughlin, and includes 16 survivors from last year’s Four Nations in Australia and New Zealand.

McNamara has selected seven uncapped players with four that featured in England’s Academy tour of Australia in 2012 – Warrington Wolves forward Ben Currie, Wigan Warriors trio John Bateman, Joe Burgess and George Williams, First Utility Super League young player of the year. Castleford Tigers half-back Luke Gale and leading try-scorer in Super League Jermaine McGillvary, from the Huddersfield Giants, are rewarded after a strong season in the domestic campaign. NRL based forward Mike Cooper, who toured with the national side last year, is included but has yet to be capped.

St Helens hooker James Roby, Huddersfield centre Leroy Cudjoe and Warrington’s Ben Westwood all return after missing selection 12 months ago through injury.

Meanwhile, six players – South Sydney Rabbitohs George Burgess, St Helens’ Alex Walmsley, Leeds’s Stevie Ward, Brisbane Broncos Jack Reed, Warrington’s Stefan Ratchford and Wigan’s Joel Tomkins – have not been considered because of upcoming surgery during the close season.

England coach, Steve McNamara, said: “We spent a long time selecting this squad and there were some close calls with a lot of competition for places.
“There is a tremendous challenge in front of us against the best Rugby League nation in the world. New Zealand will be formidable opponents.
“There is a strong core of players that have come through the England system over recent years and have the desire, appetite and quality to do English Rugby League proud in this tournament.
“We are fully aware that we will need to work exceptionally hard and play to a very high level to win the tournament. Our aim is to win our first home series against southern hemisphere opposition since Great Britain defeated New Zealand in 2007.”

England will be based throughout the tournament at the Football Association’s St George’s Park training facility in Burton-upon-Trent.

England’s international schedule kicks off at Leigh Sports Village on Saturday October 24 (2.00pm) with a match against France.
The three-game series against New Zealand starts at the KC Stadium, Hull on Sunday November 1 (5.00pm) moving on to The Stadium at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London on Saturday November 7 (2.30pm). The series concludes at the DW Stadium, Wigan on Saturday November 14 (1.00pm).

Tickets for England v France at Leigh Sports Village on Saturday October 24 (2.00pm) cost from as little as £10 for adults, £5 for concessions and £22.50 for a family ticket. Please visit www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk or call the Rugby League Ticket Hotline on 0844 856 1113.
Tickets to the three-game New Zealand series cost from £22 for adults and £10 for concessions per game. A three-match package costing just £45 for adults and £22.50 for concessions is also available.
To purchase tickets please visit www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk or call the Rugby League Ticket Hotline on 0844 856 1113.

All of England’s matches against New Zealand will be shown live on the BBC.