Brisbane Broncos announce squad to face Wigan

FORMER Huddersfield and Hull KR full-back Greg Eden has earned a trip back to England after being named in Brisbane Broncos' squad for the World Club Series clash with Wigan on Saturday week.

Eden, who was released from his contract at Hull KR at the end of the 2014 season to enable him to join the Broncos, has yet to make his NRL debut.

But he impressed enough in Saturday’s 48-26 trial win over North Queensland Cowboys in Bundaberg to book himself a seat on the plane to England when Wayne Bennett’s men fly out later this week.

While Darius Boyd will be at full-back at the DW Stadium in the February 20 match, Eden is in contention for a wing spot.

Half-back Ben Hunt misses out as he serves a one-game ban for a dangerous throw on Kane Linnett in last year’s Grand Final defeat by the Cowboys, while the only other Broncos missing from that line-up are centre Justin Hodges, who has retired, injured England centre Jack Reed and prop Mitchell Dodds, who has joined Warrington.

Samoa prop Josh McGuire has been included in the squad after being cleared to make his return from a ruptured Achilles tendon that has kept him out of action since last June.

New Zealand internationals Adam Blair, Alex Glenn, Jordan Kahu and Kodi Nikorima, who were all in the team that lost 20-14 to England in the decisive third Test at the DW Stadium in November, are also in the party, along with Australia forward Corey Parker, whose penalty goal in extra time secured a 14-12 win over Wigan in the corresponding match 12 months ago.

Squad: Adam Blair, Darius Boyd, Greg Eden, Herman Ese’ese, Matt Gillett, Alex Glenn, Jordan Kahu, Andrew McCullough, Josh McGuire, Anthony Milford, Kodi Nikorima, Corey Oates, Joe Ofahengaue, Tom Opacic, Corey Parker, James Roberts, Sam Thaiday, Travis Waddell, Jarrod Wallace.