Hock to start for England
Gareth Hock has been picked in the starting line-up for England's World Cup opener.
And coach Tony Smith has also called up Leeds utility back Lee Smith, who has pipped exiting Wigan winger Mark Calderwood for the vacant left-wing berth for the clash against Papua New Guinea on Saturday.
Hock is rewarded for a strong finish to a season dogged by suspension by being handed the second-row spot vacant due to the injury to Sam Burgess.
Hooker Micky Higham, who is joining Warrington from Warriors next season, has not made the 17.
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The only other change to the side that beat France 56-8 in June is the promotion of St Helens prop James Graham, who will start a match for his country for the first time after five previous appearances as substitute for GB and England.
Graham, the recently-crowned Man of Steel, displaces veteran front rower Adrian Morley, who finished the season for Warrington with a stomach muscle injury, although Smith has not ruled out making a late change.
England: Wellens (St Helens); Gardner (St Helens), Gleeson
(Warrington), Senior, Smith (both Leeds); Pryce (St Helens), Burrow (Leeds); Peacock (Leeds, capt), Roby, Graham (both St Helens), Hock (Wigan), Ellis, Sinfield (both Leeds).
Subs: McGuire (Leeds), Morley (Warrington), Fa'asavalu, Wilkin (both St Helens)
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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