For this Saturday’s second Test match in Huddersfield against Tonga, England has added Ben Currie and Matty Ashton to the squad.
Ashton and Currie of the Warrington Wolves take the place of back rower Morgan Knowles and winger Tommy Makinson, who were both injured during England’s exhausting 22-18 victory against the southern hemisphere team on Sunday in the opening game of a three-match series.
Only Ashton’s second international appearance—the 25-year-old winger played in England’s 64-0 thumping of France in April—will come from his call-up to the 19-man matchday squad.
“Shaun Wane, the head coach of the England team, expressed his admiration for Matty Ashton’s performance earlier in the year during the mid-season international against France. He noted that Ashton has consistently maintained his impressive form over the past few weeks and expressed his delight in providing Ashton with the opportunity to compete against Tonga.”
Although the 29-year-old Currie played in England’s World Cup run to the final, he had only made two appearances for his nation in the previous six years, one of which was the victory against France.
On Saturday, Huddersfield Giants prop Chris Hill will play in his 35th full international match at John Smith’s Stadium in the second Test of the series. After Ryan Hall (40) and James Graham (44) on the all-time list of England appearances, he is in third place.
England will once again be captained by St Helens full-back Jack Welsby as George Williams serves the last of his two-match suspension.
The hosts will win the series if they defeat Tonga, but Wane anticipates opposition from Kristian Woolf’s group as they look to arrange a final at AMT Headingley on Saturday, November 4.
“The previous weekend was an actual war of tenacity, and our team battled tirelessly and came out on top; however, we still have some work to accomplish in order to secure a victory in this three-game series,” Wane stated.
