Fielden misses out on England squad
Posted
Updated
Lee Smith's match-winning performance in Super League's grand final has secured him a place in England's 24-man World Cup squad, but experienced Wigan prop Stuart Fielden has been left out.
Utility back Smith's inclusion had been widely expected after Leeds beat St Helens 24-16 in the finale to the Super League season at Old Trafford last weekend.
Less anticipated were the call-ups for back rowers Jamie Langley (Bradford) and Rob Purdham (Harlequins).
Leeds provided eight of the 24 players in line with coach Tony Smith's pledge to select the men in form.
Second rower Jamie Jones-Buchanan is among eight back rowers, some of who may have to play in the front row following Smith's surprise decision to tour with just four specialist props in Jamie Peacock, who will skipper the side, Adrian Morley, James Graham and Maurie Fa'asavalu.
Fielden was a regular for Great Britain throughout his Bradford career but, after being dropped for last year's Test series against New Zealand, played his way back into contention with a strong finish to the season with Wigan and was named in the train-on squad.
There is a place for Fielden's team-mate, Gareth Hock, while winger Mark Calderwood and hooker Mickey Higham, who have left Wigan for Hull and Warrington respectively, also make the squad despite missing out earlier in the year.
Calderwood displaces Hull KR winger Peter Fox, who is the solitary player dropped from the side which beat France 56-8 in June, while Langley and centre Paul Sykes are back on the international scene after making debuts against France in the summer of 2007.
England World Cup squad: Rob Burrow, Mark Calderwood, Gareth Ellis, Mauire Fa'asavalu, Ade Gardner, Martin Gleeson, James Graham, Mickey Higham, Gareth Hock, Jamie Jones Buchanan, Jamie Langley, Danny McGuire, Adrian Morley, Jamie Peacock, Leon Pryce, Rob Purdham, James Roby, Keith Senior, Kevin Sinfield, Lee Smith, Paul Sykes, Paul Wellens, Ben Westwood, Jon Wilkin.
-AFP
