Giants pair in for England as duo ruled out

Huddersfield Giants players Kevin Brown and Shaun Lunt have been promoted to full members of the England squad for Saturday’s game against France.

Brown and Lunt were drafted into the squad on Sunday evening, initially as cover for three injured members of England coach Steve McNamara’s original 19-man squad and today learned that they are being considered for selection for the Test against France.

The move follows the news that Danny McGuire and Kyle Eastmond will not be considered for selection. McGuire, the Leeds Rhinos stand-off, has a knee injury, while St Helens scrum-half Eastmond has not recovered from the ankle ligament strain he suffered in the Carnegie Challenge Cup tie against Barrow Raiders two weeks ago.

Both players will stay with the England squad throughout this week and will return to their clubs on Monday.

The third player whose fitness had been in doubt, Leeds Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield, has fully recovered from the knee injury he sustained in the Engage Super League champions’ victory over Wakefield Trinity Wildcats last Saturday.

Speaking to England TV, Steve McNamara said: “It’s unfortunate for Danny and Kyle that they have injuries which will keep them out for no more than a week but their misfortune is good fortune for two other players who I’m looking forward to working with.

“I’m very disappointed for both Danny and Kyle but we move on. Kevin Brown and Shaun Lunt will now stay with us: they’ve been great additions to the group and this is a chance for them to stay with us for a longer period and, quite possibly play.

“They were unfortunate to miss out in the first place and their form over a period of time has been good enough for them to be considered for selection.

“They have been good in practice and they look like good characters as well as good players.”