Eastmond raring to go

SUPER LEAGUE sensation Kyle Eastmond will make his England debut from the bench against France at Doncaster tomorrow night.

The 20-year-old Oldhamer, a former Radclyffe School pupil who played his junior rugby at St Anne’s, follows in the footsteps of other recent internationals who learned their trade in the town such as Paul Sculthorpe, Iestyn Harris, Barrie McDermott and Kevin Sinfield.
The recognition comes as a result of Eastmond’s sparkling displays for St Helens, including a try-scoring turn in the recent Super League Grand Final defeat to Leeds Rhinos.

“He’s comfortable in a lot of positions and he’ll bring versatility from the bench,” said England coach Tony Smith.

“If we get injuries or somebody is not at their best we know we can introduce Kyle.

“He’s very good at running with the ball and taking the opposition on. I’m looking to seeing him in his first game.”

Having just come up short on the Super League young player–of–the–year award, claimed by Wigan’s Sam Tomkins, Eastmond admits his ability to occupy a number of roles helped his chances of selection.

“My versatility is what has probably got me in there,” he said. “I’m not sure where Tony is going to pick me and I’m not bothered to tell the truth.

“I’ve been dreaming about this since I was a kid and, now it’s come around, hopefully I can do a good job.”

Elsewhere in Smith’s squad for the opening Four Nations match, 19-year-old Hull FC winger Tom Briscoe has been selected on the wing ahead of cross-town rival, Hull KR’s Peter Fox, having been called into the squad for last week’s Wales warm-up as a replacement for injured Wigan man Sean O’Loughlin.

England: S Briscoe (Hull KR); T Briscoe (Hull), Smith (Leeds), Shenton (Castleford), Hall (Leeds); McGuire (Leeds), Myler (Salford); Morley (Warrington), Moore (Huddersfield), Peacock (Leeds, capt), Ellis (Wests Tigers), Burgess (Bradford), Sinfield (Leeds).

Subs: Eastmond (St Helens), Roby (St Helens), Graham (St Helens), Westwood (Warrington).

* ROUGHYEDS shareholders Bill Quinn and Chris Hamilton are set for more talks today concerning the future of the club.