The RFL
Problems mount for England
England could face a hooking crisis after being hit by two more withdrawals from coach Tony Smith’s World Cup train-on squad.
Bradford Bulls number nine Terry Newton has joined Warrington Wolves' Jon Clarke on the sidelines, taking to five the number of injured Great Britain internationals.
Clarke pulled out on Saturday after breaking an arm in Warrington’s play-off defeat at Catalans Dragons while Newton and his Bradford team-mate Andy Lynch were today ruled out with shoulder injuries.
Another Bradford forward, Sam Burgess, and Wigan Warriors loose forward Sean O’Loughlin had earlier pulled out of contention, also with shoulder injuries.
Newton and Clarke were the starting hookers for Great Britain in last year’s Test series against New Zealand but James Roby, of St Helens, was chosen for the mid-season international against France in June.
Roby is assured of his World Cup place and could be the only specialist hooker unless Smith opts to recall Wigan’s Mickey Higham.
Meanwhile, Bradford scrum-half Paul Deacon is poised to make his international comeback after being one of six players added to Smith’s train-on squad.
The 29-year-old last played for his country in the 2005 Tri-Nations series in which he suffered horrific facial injuries that at the time were feared to be potentially life-threatening but he has emerged as the likely back-up to Leeds Rhinos scrum-half Rob Burrow.
Centre Paul Sykes, who can provide cover for full-back Paul Wellens, and loose forward Jamie Langley were also called up from the Bulls, along with the Warrington trio of centre Martin Gleeson, prop Adrian Morley and second rower Ben Westwood.
They take Smith’s train-on squad to 19, although there is an injury doubt over Castleford Tigers loose forward Joe Westerman.
Smith will name the rest of his initial squad as the play-offs unfold before trimming it to the final 24 on October 7.
England open their World Cup campaign against Papua New Guinea in Townsville on October 25 but have a warm-up game against Wales at Doncaster on October 10.
