Warrington Wolves duo Matty Ashton and Ben Currie have been called up to the 19-player England squad for the second test against Tonga in Huddersfield on Saturday after Tommy Makinson and Morgan Knowles were both ruled out due to injury
Last updated: 10/26/23 12:35 PM
Matty Ashton has been named in the 19-player England squad following an injury to Tommy Makinson
Matty Ashton and Ben Currie have been added to the England squad for their second Test against Tonga in Huddersfield on Saturday.
Warrington Wolves duo Ashton and Currie replace winger Tommy Makinson and back row Morgan Knowles, both of whom suffered injuries during England’s grueling 22-18 win at St Helens on Sunday in the first of a three-match series against the southern hemisphere.
Ashton’s call-up to the 19-man matchday squad will represent only his second international appearance, following the 25-year-old winger’s appearance in England’s 64-0 defeat to France earlier in April.
Ben Currie has been named in England’s 19-player squad for the second Test
“Matty Ashton impressed me in the mid-season international against France earlier this year and has continued on the same path in recent weeks,” said England manager Shaun Wane. “I’m very happy to give him a chance against Tonga.”
Currie, 29, featured in England’s run to the 2017 World Cup final but has made just two appearances for his country in the past six years, including the win over France.
The second Test of the series at John Smith’s Stadium will see Huddersfield Giants’ Chris Hill make his 35th full international appearance on Saturday. He is third on the all-time list of England appearances, behind James Graham (44) and Ryan Hall (40).
England will once again be captained by St Helens full-back Jack Welsby as George Williams serves the last of his two-match suspension.
A win over Tonga will seal a series victory for the hosts, but Wane expects a bounce-back from Kristian Woolf’s team as they attempt to set up a decider at AMT Headingley on Saturday, November 4.
“Last week was a real war of attrition and we fought hard to come out on top, but we still have work to do to win this three-match series,” Wane said.
“We know Tonga will get hurt, they will come out even stronger and look for revenge this weekend. It is up to us to make sure that doesn’t happen and that we come away with the win and the series. “
England’s 19-player squad takes on Tonga
Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves), John Bateman (Wests Tigers), Tom Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Daryl Clark, Ben Currie (both Warrington Wolves), Liam Farrell (Wigan Warriors), Chris Hill (Huddersfield Giants), Tom Johnstone ( Catalans Dragons), Toby King (Wigan Warriors), Matty Lees (St Helens), Mikey Lewis (Hull KR), Mike McMeeken (Catalans Dragons), Robbie Mulhern (Leigh Leopards), Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos), Victor Radley (Sydney) Roosters), Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors), Danny Walker (Warrington Wolves), Jack Welsby (St Helens), Elliott Whitehead (Canberra Raiders)