Sam Tomkins called up to England squad along with Adam Milner and Mike Cooper
Sam Tomkins, Adam Milner and Mike Cooper have been called up to the England squad for the second phase of the season.
Following a review of the Denver Test and the first phase of 2018 Elite Performance Squad sessions, England coach Wayne Bennett and his coaching staff have selected a 25-man squad for the second stage of the campaign.
Castleford Tigers loose forward Milner is the only new face included in the squad, while Wigan full-back Tomkins and Warrington front-rower Cooper make their returns to the side.
Tomkins hasn’t played for England since the 2014 Four Nations and Cooper made his last appearance in 2016.
On the Elite Performance Squad, Bennett said: “Myself and staff have been monitoring players every week throughout the season so far.
“The 14 Super League players that travelled over for the Denver Test have been selected including Jake Connor and Luke Thompson who were promoted from the England Knights Performance Squad and proved their commitment and value to the squad.
“It was a very positive and productive camp which resulted in a great performance against the Kiwis and I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made so far this year.
“We’re welcoming two recalls to the squad and one new addition and the door will remain open for the remainder of the season as we head towards the International Test Series against New Zealand later this year.”
England Elite Performance Squad:
Luke Gale (Castleford Tigers)
Mike McMeeken (Castleford Tigers)
Adam Milner (Castleford Tigers)
Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield Giants)
Jake Connor (Hull FC)
Scott Taylor (Hull FC)
Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos)
Stevie Ward (Leeds Rhinos)
Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos)
Jonny Lomax (St Helens)
Tommy Makinson (St Helens)
Mark Percival (St Helens)
James Roby (St Helens)
Luke Thompson (St Helens)
Alex Walmsley (St Helens)
Tom Johnstone (Wakefield Trinity)
Daryl Clark (Warrington Wolves)
Mike Cooper (Warrington Wolves)
Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves)
Chris Hill (Warrington Wolves)
Stefan Ratchford (Warrington Wolves)
John Bateman (Wigan Warriors)
Sean O’Loughlin (Wigan Warriors)
Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors)
George Williams (Wigan Warriors)
England face France in a warm-up game on Wednesday, October 17, at Leigh Sports Village, prior to their three-match Test series against New Zealand in the autumn.
