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Fielden misses out on England squad

8/10/2008 3:42:44 PM

Lee Smith's match-winning performance in Super League's grand final has secured him a place in England's 24-man World Cup squad but experienced Wigan prop Stuart Fielden has been left out of head coach Tony Smith's selection.

Utility back Smith's inclusion had been widely expected after Leeds beat St Helens 24-16 in the finale to the Super League season at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Less anticipated were the call-ups for back-row forwards Jamie Langley (Bradford) and Rob Purdham (Harlequins).

Leeds provide eight of the 24 players in line with Smith's pledge to select the men in form.

Second-rower Jamie Jones-Buchanan is among eight back-row forwards, some of who may have to play in the front row following Smith's surprise decision to tour with just four specialist props in Jamie Peacock, who will skipper the side, Adrian Morley, James Graham and Maurie Fa'asavalu.

Fielden was a regular for Great Britain throughout his Bradford career but, after being dropped for last year's Test series against New Zealand, played his way back into contention with a strong finish to the season with Wigan and was named in the train-on squad.

There is a place for Fielden's team-mate, Gareth Hock, while winger Mark Calderwood and hooker Mickey Higham, who have left Wigan for Hull and Warrington respectively, also make the squad despite missing out earlier in the year.

Calderwood displaces Hull KR winger Peter Fox, who is the solitary player dropped from the side that beat France 56-8 in June, while Langley and centre Paul Sykes are back in the international scene after making debuts against France in the summer of 2007.

In an experienced-looking squad, there is no place for Castleford's teenage loose forward Joe Westerman, who missed the end of the Super League season through injury.

Only Calderwood, Purdham, Smith and Ben Westwood have not played a full international.

England Squad:

Rob Burrow (Leeds Rhinos), Mark Calderwood (Wigan Warriors), Gareth Ellis (Leeds Rhinos), Mauire Faasavalu (St Helens), Ade Gardner (St Helens), Martin Gleeson (Warrington Wolves), James Graham (St Helens), Mickey Higham (Wigan Warriors), Gareth Hock (Wigan Warriors), Jamie Jones Buchanan (Leeds Rhinos), Jamie Langley (Bradford Bulls), Danny McGuire (Leeds Rhinos), Adrian Morley (Warrington Wolves), Jamie Peacock (Leeds Rhinos), Leon Pryce (St Helens), Rob Purdham (Harlequins RL), James Roby (St Helens), Keith Senior (Leeds Rhinos), Kevin Sinfield (Leeds Rhinos), Lee Smith (Leeds Rhinos), Paul Sykes (Bradford Bulls), Paul Wellens (St Helens), Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves), Jon Wilkin (St Helens)

AFP

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