Shaun Wane makes two changes to England squad for third and final Australia Test
England boss Shaun Wane has made two changes to his 19-man squad for Saturday’s third and final Ashes Test against Australia.
Hull KR winger Joe Burgess and Leeds Rhinos centre Harry Newman are in line to make their first England appearances in this autumn’s Ashes series, with the pair coming into Wane’s 19-man squad this week.
Burgess and Newman replace the injured Dom Young, who suffered a broken foot in last week’s 14-4 defeat in the second Test, and Wigan Warriors star Jake Wardle.
Wigan-born Burgess is set to make his first England appearance in a decade, having last been capped in a 2015 series victory over New Zealand. Newman, meanwhile, featured in England’s 2-0 series win over Samoa last year.
Leigh Leopards forward Owen Trout and St Helens hooker Daryl Clark could come back into Wane’s thinking this week, having been 18th and 19th man respectively last time out.
John Bateman remains sidelined after rolling his ankle in the build-up to the second Test.
With Australia having already secured the Ashes series with a game to spare, Wane insists his side is determined to finish the series on a good note at a sold-out AMT Headingley on Saturday afternoon.
“Of course, we are disappointed not to be going into this final game with the opportunity to win the Ashes, but the goal now is to come away from the series with a victory,” said Wane.
“We did a lot of good things last week, but ultimately, we need to be even better if we want to get a win this weekend.
“It will be great to see Joe Burgess and Harry Newman in action this weekend. Joe has had a great season with Hull KR, and Harry has been a consistent performer for me in an England jersey.
"I’ve no doubt the England supporters will get behind us once more as they have in previous seasons at Headingley - and hopefully we can give them something to celebrate come Saturday evening.”
England 19-man squad: AJ Brimson, Joe Burgess, Daryl Clark, Herbie Farnworth, Tom Johnstone, Morgan Knowles, Matty Lees, Mikey Lewis, Jez Litten, Mike McMeeken, Harry Newman, Mikolaj Oledzki, Kai Pearce-Paul, Harry Smith, Morgan Smithies, Owen Trout, Alex Walmsley, Kallum Watkins, George Williams.