Four Nations: England drop Gareth Widdop for Scotland game
Thursday 3 November 2016 16:13, UK
England have dropped stand-off Gareth Widdop for Saturday's Ladbrokes Four Nations clash with Scotland in Coventry.
Widdop, who won his 20th cap in last Saturday's opening 17-16 defeat by New Zealand, is the man to make way for Wigan's George Williams as coach Wayne Bennett tinkers with his side ahead of the must-win contest with Australia on Sunday week.
Williams will win his fourth cap, forming a new half-back combination with Castleford's Luke Gale, who made his debut in the 40-6 win over France in October and did enough against the Kiwis to keep his place.
"Luke's defence was outstanding," Bennett said. "I don't think he has a reputation for defending but he was really, really good.
"I just think he probably lost his way a little bit, it was his first big match and he let a few things slip by that I would encourage him to take in the future.
Trending
- Transfer Centre LIVE! Grealish, Trent, Zirkzee latest
- Rashford and Zirkzee attracting Serie A interest
- Ref Watch: 'Saliba didn't get ball in penalty incident - the ball got him'
- Liverpool latest: Van Dijk gives contract update as Carra calls for signing
- Everton owners assessing Dyche future
- Neville: Man Utd have something to build on after 'best' Amorim performance
- Premier League Darts 2025: Have your say on who should be picked
- Man Utd latest: Zirkzee could leave Man Utd, says Amorim
- 'Real bid was insulting!' - Nev, Carra, Keane and Sturridge debate Trent saga
- Ugarte shows his value to Man Utd at Liverpool
"He's a very talented footballer. He's good with the ball in his hands, I've seen enough of him to know that. He just didn't get the ball enough the other day.
"I saw George play in the finals and I think he's a quality player, it's up to him now, he's going to get a chance.
"He's been working hard in training with the players and showing the coaching staff what he can do and what he's capable of."
Williams' Wigan team-mate Liam Farrell is also recalled after being left out of Bennett's 19-man squad last Saturday, while Hull prop Scott Taylor will deputise for James Graham, who is out with a knee injury.
In the only other change, St Helens centre Mark Percival, who made his debut in Avignon, is recalled, most probably in place of Wigan's Dan Sarginson.
"I'll try to stay as close to the team that I will probably pick to play against Australia," Bennett said.
"We just need more time together, this team won't be too far off, with the exception of a couple of positions.
"The New Zealand game has gone now. We've reviewed it, talked about it and now back out on the field to get things right for Scotland on Saturday."
England are expected to comfortably win their first ever meeting with Scotland, who lost 54-12 in their opening game against Australia, and may need to score heavily to boost their points difference in case the top three teams are tied on two wins at the end of the round-robin stage.
Bennett added: "We won't be reading too much into Scotland's game against Australia, they're a good side with plenty of talent from Super League and the NRL in there.
"From what I saw, I thought they had a go last Friday and scored some decent tries.
"Just like every game we go into, we're focused on our job and what needs to happen to come out on top.
"The boys are excited to play in Coventry at the Ricoh Arena and grow the game in the UK. I've heard it's a fantastic facility and we're looking forward to seeing all of the fans again."
England 19-man squad: J Bateman (Wigan), G Burgess (South Sydney), S Burgess (South Sydney, capt), T Burgess (South Sydney), D Clark (Warrington), M Cooper (St George Illawarra), L Farrell (Wigan), L Gale (Castleford), R Hall (Leeds), C Hill (Warrington), J Hodgson (Canberra), J Lomax (St Helens), J McGillvary (Huddersfield), M Percival (St Helens), D Sarginson (Wigan), S Taylor (Hull), K Watkins (Leeds), E Whitehead (Canberra), G Williams (Wigan).