Rising Huddersfield Giants stars Tyler Dickinson and Mikey Wood have retained their places in the England Academy side to face Australian Schoolboys in tomorrow night’s second Test at Leigh Sports Village.
The teenagers both featured in the narrow 22-18 opening Test defeat to the tourists a week ago, with Super League squad man Dickinson once again named at starting prop and Senior Academy back-row forward Wood on the bench.
There’s also a place in the starting line-up for Warrington Wolves’ former Meltham All Blacks centre Toby King.
The second call-ups of ex-Siddal junior Dickinson and former Slaithwaite Saracens ace Wood, who are both 18, follows on from the selection of fellow Giants Jake Connor and Jack Miller in last season’s England Academy side that faced France.
Unfortunately, there’s no place in the Academy squad for former England Youth captain and Giants Super League squad man Liam Johnson, who was a member of the squad but at the age of 17 missed out on selection to his older England teammates.
But Giants head coach Anderson knows Johnson’s time will come and that the Huddersfield youngsters will once again serve their country with pride.
“For Liam to have made the England Academy squad at the age of 17 is a credit to him and a great achievement, and obviously reflects well on the Giants as a club, as well. His time will come,” said Anderson.
“It’s also good news that Tyler and Mikey have held on to their places. They both did well in the first Test and deserve to have another shot at the Aussies.”
