McNamara puts faith in Widdop
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Steve McNamara has named three debutants in England's team to play France tomorrow. The Melbourne full-back, Gareth Widdop, and Huddersfield's stand-off, Kevin Brown, are both in the starting line-up at Leigh, whilst Joel Tomkins, the Wigan second-rower, is on the bench.
As the only full-back in the squad, Widdop was always earmarked to play, despite starting only two matches for his Australian club. "He has been very much as I expected in camp," said McNamara of the player he has gone out on a limb to include. "He's very composed, very confident and very, very skilful. He has to go out there and play, but the signs are good."
Brown gets his opportunity because of injuries to Kyle Eastmond and Danny McGuire. "He's been given a chance he probably never thought he was going to get, but him and Sam Tomkins have looked good together in training," McNamara said.
Sam and Joel Tomkins will become the first pair of brothers to play for their country together since Paul and David Hulme in 1989 and Joel can expect to be thrown into the action early. His inclusion means that the Bradford prop, Nick Scruton, is the man to miss out. "His progress has been very good. He now needs to go away and carry on improving," said McNamara of the one member of the squad he also coaches at club level.
The French coach, Bobbie Goulding, admitted that the Test had come at a bad time for his side. Injuries – with Dimitri Pelo the latest to drop out – meant that he was able to name his starting 13 but not his substitutes yesterday.
The newcomer with the biggest job is the Lezignan scrum-half, Nicolas Munoz, who plays in the absence of Thomas Bosc. "He was instrumental in Lezignan winning everything this season," Goulding said. "There are a lot of people in France who could step up to the next level and he is one of them."
England G Widdop (Melbourne Storm); T Briscoe (Hull), C Bridge (Warrington), M Shenton (Castleford), R Hall (Leeds); K Brown (Huddersfield), S Tomkins (Wigan); J Graham (St Helens), K Sinfield (Leeds), J Peacock (Leeds, capt), G Ellis (Wests Tigers), S Burgess (South Sydney), S O'Loughlin (Wigan).
France C Villegas (Toulouse); N Piquemal (Lezignan), C Gossard, S Raguin, F Vaccari; T Gigot (all Catalans), N Munoz (Lezignan), D Ferriol, G Mounis, R Casty, O Elima (capt), J Fakir, A Bentley (all Catalans).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments