Will national team snub re-ignit Giants' League bid?
HUDDERSFIELD Giants have been handed an extra form of motivation to continue their Super League play-off push after being given a major England snub.
National coach Tony Smith yesterday announced the first batch of players in the new elite England training squad.
And despite the Giants standing fourth in Super League and having reached the Challenge Cup quarter-final, all of their English players have been overlooked, although the initial 17-man squad will be increased throughout the rest of the season.
Captain Jamie Peacock is one of nine survivors from the World Cup, with St Helens stand-off Leon Pryce the most eye-catching absentee, along with that of a specialist full-back.
However, Smith will not restrict team selection to this squad and it’s still possible several Giants, along with the likes of Pryce, could still play against France in Paris next month.
Following on from recommendations of the World Cup review, Smith has broadened his selection, choosing his squad from nine of the 12 English Super League clubs, although there are still seven representatives from Leeds and St Helens.
The biggest surprise is the call-up of 19-year-old Hull winger Tom Briscoe, who is currently sidelined with an ankle injury.
More predictable selections are Salford’s 18-year-old scrum-half Richie Myler and Castleford pair Michael Shenton and Joe Westerman.
Share
