England bring Tongan Manu into fold
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Hull's Australian-born Tongan international second-rower, Willie Manu, is in line to become the latest overseas player to appear for England. Manu played for Tonga in the 2008 World Cup, but qualifies for England by residence, having been with Hull for nearly four seasons, and made himself available.
The England coach, Steve McNamara, included him in a 37-man party for a team-building exercise with the Royal Marine Commandos in Liverpool this week and he clearly has him in mind for a place in the squad for this autumn's Four Nations.
"Whilst I will always be proud of my Tongan heritage, I'm honoured to be recognised by the English national side," Manu said.
"I was flattered to receive the call from Steve McNamara to join the players this week and if I was given the chance to play at that level it would be something I would have to consider."
Other new names in this week's squad were Salford winger Jodie Broughton, Huddersfield's wing or full-back, Leroy Cudjoe, Warrington forward, Ben Harrison, and Ben Jones-Bishop, the Harlequins full-back on loan from Leeds.
Joel Tomkins and Danny Tickle were otherwise engaged at a League disciplinary hearing, while among those not called upon were Leon Pryce and last season's first-choice full-back, Shaun Briscoe.
St Helens have confirmed the former Hull coach, Royce Simmons, as the successor to Mick Potter on a two-year contract. He will leave his jobs as assistant coach with Wests Tigers and Australia to take the reins at Saints.
The Saints squad could soon include England centre Michael Shenton, whose club, Castleford, have announced that he has turned down a new contract and is leaving at the end of the season.
Warrington have given new one-year contracts to Tyrone McCarthy and Lee Mitchell.
Hull have three teenaged reserves in their squad to face Wigan tonight because of injuries.
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