#EngvExiles

Following a number of player withdrawals, Exiles coach Daniel Anderson has today named a revised 17-man squad, including new addition Epalahame Lauaki of Wigan Warriors, for the match against England at Langtree Park on Saturday June 16 (6.45pm).

Brett Finch and George Carmont of Wigan Warriors, Lopini Paea and Louis Anderson of Catalan Dragons plus Warrington Wolves’ Michael Monaghan and Luke O’Donnell of Huddersfield Giants have been withdrawn from the squad due to injury.

Commenting on the revised squad, Exiles assistant coach Mike Rush said: “You’re always going to get this, I’m sure England are in the same predicament.

“Players are always going to get bumps and bruises on the weekend leading up to a training camp. We haven’t got time to see how all those bumps and bruises will settle down, we need to get straight into it now.

“The 17 players we’ve got in camp now are really looking forward to it and are really up for it. This will hopefully give Steve Mac’s lads the run-out that they need and it’ll be a fantastic fixture for all the players preparing for the World Cup next year”.

Rush added that the Exiles have no intention of making it easy for England: “That’s not our job, our job is to make it as hard as possible and get a win,” he said.

“Both teams of course want to win this series but only one of them can. The size of the pack that we’ve got here and the athleticism of these players makes it an exciting prospect.”

He also agreed that the addition of Epalahame Lauaki from Wigan is a bonus in terms of power: “Lauaki is another big man. We’re blessed with big men in the middle of the field but we have to use them in the right way.”

Exiles Squad - In alphabetical order

Anthony Laffranchi                    St Helens                      5 (Aus); 4 (NSW)
Antonio Kaufusi                        London Broncos           1 (Aus), 3 (Tonga); 1 (Q)
Brett Hodgson (Captain)            Warrington Wolves        1 Exiles; 6 (NSW)
Daryl Millard                              Catalan Dragons           4 (Fiji)
David Faiumu                            Huddersfield Giants       1 Exiles; 10 (NZ), 1 (Samoa)
Epalahame Lauaki                    Wigan Warriors              4 (Tonga), NZ (4)
Francis Meli                              St Helens                      1 Exiles; 14 (NZ), 6 (Samoa)     
Jeff Lima                                  Wigan Warriors              6 (NZ)
Joel Monaghan                         Warrington Wolves        5 (Aus); 2 (NSW)
Lance Hohaia                            St Helens                      29 (NZ)
Scott Dureau                             Catalan Dragons          
Setaimata Sa                            Catalan Dragons           5 (Samoa); 3 (NZ)
Sia Soliola                                St Helens                      1 Exiles; 11 (NZ)
Thomas Leuluai                         Wigan Warriors              1 Exiles; 30 (NZ)
Tony Puletua                             St Helens                      1 Exiles; 22 (NZ), 3 (Samoa)
Trent Waterhouse                      Warrington Wolves        12 (Aus); 5 (NSW)
Willie Manu                               Hull FC                         1 Exiles ; 6 (Tonga)

Coach: Daniel Anderson

Tickets for both matches in the International Origin Series are now on general sale and can be purchased through the RFL Ticket office on 0844 856 1113 or by visiting www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk.

Tickets for the opening fixture at Langtree Park, St Helens, on Saturday June 16 (6.45pm) cost from £18 (£9 concessions) for standing and £21 (£10 concessions) seating. Tickets for the all-seater second fixture at Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield, on Wednesday July 4 (7.45pm) cost from £21 (£10 concessions).