England squad named for World Cup Nines

James Graham will captain a 16-man England squad for the upcoming World Cup Nines in Australia.

Graham, 34, is one of 11 players that have been selected in the Great Britain squad for their tour of New Zealand and Papua New Guinea following the tournament.

No St Helens and Salford players are included due to their Super League Grand Final commitments, while Canberra Josh Hodgson and John Bateman were also not considered due to injury.

Their Canberra team-mates Elliott Whitehead and Ryan Sutton, Warrington-bound Gareth Widdop, Sydney Roosters winger Ryan Hall and South Sydney prop Tom Burgess are included.

From outside the Great Britain selection are Castleford prop Liam Watts, Catalans full-back Sam Tomkins, Wakefield’s Reece Lyne and Leeds winger Ash Handley.

For the first time, England will field Men’s and Women’s teams in the same Nines tournament, which will be played at the new Bankwest Stadium on October 18 and 19, and covered extensively by Sky Sports.

England’s Men have been drawn in a qualifying group with Wales, France and Lebanon, with only the winners progressing to the semi finals.

England Women, who announced a 16-strong squad in August, will play in a four-team tournament with Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, with the top two in the qualifying group going straight to the final.

Squad: James Graham (St George Illawarra Dragons, captain), Tom Burgess (South Sydney), Daryl Clark (Warrington Wolves), Jake Connor (Hull FC), Ryan Hall (Sydney Roosters), Ash Handley (Leeds Rhinos), Jack Hughes (Warrington Wolves), Reece Lyne (Wakefield Trinity), Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield Giants), Ryan Sutton (Canberra Raiders), Sam Tomkins (Catalans Dragons), Jake Trueman (Castleford Tigers), Liam Watts (Castleford Tigers), Elliott Whitehead (Canberra Raiders), Gareth Widdop (St George Illawarra Dragons), George Williams (Wigan Warriors).