England intention to put down a marker forward of this yr’s Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup once they face reigning champions France; watch Sunday’s wheelchair worldwide in Manchester reside on Sky Sports activities Enviornment from 3pm
Final Up to date: 18/06/22 10:20pm
Tom Halliwell captains England once they face France in Sunday’s wheelchair worldwide
Tom Halliwell has backed England to proper the wrongs from final yr’s Take a look at sequence towards France when the 2 conflict once more in a wheelchair worldwide on Sunday.
Reigning world champions France underlined that standing with a 2-0 sequence victory over England in final November’s matches, with the edges now assembly once more at Manchester Basketball Centre for a mid-season worldwide which is reside on Sky Sports activities.
There may be each likelihood of the outdated rivals assembly once more within the closing of this yr’s Rugby League World Cup in November and England captain Halliwell is assured his staff can lay down a marker forward of the match.
“We have been working arduous on the issues we did not do nicely within the two Checks and I believe we will put them proper on Sunday,” Halliwell stated.
“They are going to be bodily, they are going to be quick and they are going to be aggressive, flamboyant, and they are going to throw the ball round – and that is simply need we wish to play towards.
“That is what the World Cup goes to be like, so something we are able to do to copy that’s going to be good for us.”
Leeds Rhinos’ Josh Butler is ready to make his England debut in Sunday’s Take a look at, whereas former captain Martin Norris is included once more after impressing within the Wheelchair Tremendous League for Wigan Warriors following his worldwide recall after a seven-year absence for the 2021 matches towards France.
James Simpson joins Sky Sports activities as visitor pundit for Sunday’s wheelchair worldwide
One notable omission from the staff, nonetheless, is James Simpson, though Leeds’ treble-winning captain will likely be in attendance in Manchester as Sky Sports activities‘ visitor pundit for the match.
The very fact a mainstay of the staff like Simpson misses out is proof of the rising power in depth of England’s squad and head coach Tom Coyd could have a lot tougher choices to make forward of the World Cup.
“Everybody within the efficiency squad of 19 has been working so arduous all yr following the postponement of the World Cup by 12 months, and my message to the gamers omitted is that locations are nonetheless up for grabs,” Coyd stated.
“To face France in a mid-season worldwide is ideal preparation for the World Cup. It is thrilling that we have picked a younger squad and now we have extra power in depth than ever due to the elevated depth of our home competitions.”
Leeds Rhinos defeated Leyland Warriors 52-36 to win the Wheelchair Tremendous League Grand Closing and full ‘the treble’ for the 2021 season.
Halliwell, one other member of the Rhinos staff which swept all earlier than them on the home scene final yr, is happy simply to be getting again out on the courtroom for England once more.
And he’s aiming to place into apply a few of the management abilities he has developed after getting the chance to go to Betfred Tremendous League golf equipment and be taught from a few of his counterparts within the operating recreation.
“I have been round a few of the Tremendous League golf equipment and a few of the management teams they have there, and so they’ve been wonderful with me and confirmed me the ropes,” Halliwell stated.
“They suggested me to be my very own captain and that is one factor I am wanting ahead to doing on the weekend.
France defeated England in final yr’s Take a look at sequence
“It is all the time particular to drag on the England jersey. It is one factor you dream of once you’re a child, to put on the England crest and to characterize your nation. It is a massively essential factor and I am wanting ahead to it.”
Named squads
England: Tom Halliwell (captain), Seb Bechara, Josh Butler, Nathan Collins, Joe Coyd, Rob Hawkins, Lewis King, Martin Norris, Adam Rigby, Declan Roberts.
France: Abassi Mostefa, Alazard Lionel, Duhalde Thomas, Guttadoro Florian, Dore Damien, Mautz Guillaume, Vargas Arno, Verdi Yann, Zittel Adrien.
