England coach Shaun Wane insists he has the full support of Super League clubs despite a number of big name withdrawals from his squad ahead of Saturday’s test against France.
There were a host of notable absentees from Wane’s 19-man squad when it was reduced from its initial number of 40, including St Helens trio Jonny Lomax, Tommy Makinson and Lewis Dodd, Leeds pair Harry Newman and Mikolaj Oledzki and Huddersfield prop Chris Hill.
Jack Welsby is only one of eight St Helens players left from the cut but Wane insists the withdrawals are for genuine reasons.
“It happens,” Wane said of the withdrawals. “The start we’ve had in Super League has been really tough and the way the teams have ripped in, there’s going to be injuries.
“But that’s an opportunity for another young player and that’s why I’m hoping it is going to be a full house on Saturday.
“Paul Wellens is an England man. He’s worked with me, he knows me really well. They’ve had a tough start with the travel and I know they are injured. I’m just glad that I’ve got Jack.
“I admire Jack because of what he did last year playing in the halves, he’s just a natural rugby player, but I think full-back is his position.”
Shaun Wane on the withdrawals
Asked if how many of the withdrawals would play for their club sides if they had a game this weekend, Wane replied: “I wouldn’t expect there’d be many.
“Every single Super League head coach, I’ve had meetings with all the CEOs, they have my trust. They all want England to do well.
“The fact is the crowds are through the roof in Super League and that’s down to an okay World Cup from an England point of view. If we’d have done better, the crowds would have been better.
“They (the clubs) know how important it is for England to do well and the players individually, they want to be in the England camp.”
Shaun Wane excited to see what youthful England can do
This weekend England will play their first game since last year’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Samoa. Wane’s men take on France at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Saturday afternoon, 4:30pm kick-off.
As many as 15 players who could make their debuts for England’s senior side.
“I’m genuinely excited, especially from being with them the last few days,” Wane said.
“What I wanted to see was how they behaved in camp and how they reacted in camp to intense training sessions and they’ve been absolutely fantastic. I’m genuinely looking forward to Saturday, I’m glad I’ve picked such a young squad.
“The quality of the game and how many young players have come forward. You look at the players that have come in from the World Cup, Jack and Kai (Pearce-Paul).
“Jack has been around us for a long time so he knows what it’s like. Him being around these young players, helping them and giving them advice will be immense.”
France a bit of the unknown
Laurent Frayssinous, the France head coach, has also named a youthful side to make the trip across the Channel this weekend.
“There are a few individuals I know very well but there’s a couple that I don’t know much about,” said Wane.
“This week has been all about what we are doing; how we carry the ball, how we defend, how we attack – very similar to the World Cup.
“What we get with France, they will be well-coached with Laurent. They have their French way of attacking with flair.
“Expect the unexpected with France, and I don’t think it’ll be anything different this week.”
England face France in the international double-header in Warrington on Saturday. The women’s test gets underway at 2pm, followed by the men’s at 4:30pm, both live on Sky Sports.
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