Gale, Lomax to make England debuts

Four players are set to make their debuts for England on Saturday in Avignon in the match against France.

Uncapped quartet Luke Gale, Jonny Lomax, Mark Percival and Scott Taylor are all expected to be named in England‘s 17-man squad for the match.

England coach Wayne Bennett said yesterday he will rest six of the seven players who played in the Super League grand final. The seventh player will be named on the bench against France.

Wigan’s Dan Sarginson, George Williams, Liam Farrell and John Bateman, and Warrington trio Stefan Ratchford, Chris Hill and Daryl Clark featured in the grand final.

“Everyone else needs the games,” Bennett said.

“Another week out won’t hurt them.”

New skipper Sam Burgess will miss the France game with suspension.

The last time England and France meet a year ago in Leigh England won 80-0.

Bennett said he is not concered with the scoreline this weekend, just that his players build some match fitness ahead of the Four Nations.

“I’m not expecting anything, we need the game and the contact and things like that,” he said.

“I want to get out a bit of match fitness and some guys who haven’t played in a month, five weeks now.”