Bateman to start at centre for England as Bennett names squad to face Australia

John Bateman will start at centre for England in Friday’s World Cup opener against Australia.

He has been chosen over St Helens’ centre Marc Percival who has been named in the squad, but is outside the first 17.

Stefan Ratchford, Mike McMeeken and George Williams have been left out of the 21-man squad by Wayne Bennett for the game in Melbourne.

Alex Walmsley, who impressed during the 74-12 win against the Combined Affiliated States, will make his competitive England debut off the bench.

“The thing for us will be whether we make unforced errors under pressure, which we did last time we played them – there’s nothing else we have to fear,” said Bennett.

“We match them in a lot of areas and if we can match them in the areas of discipline and unforced errors, that will be our best chance of doing anything.”

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Opponents Australia will have three debutants in their ranks with winger Dane Gagai and forwards Wade Graham and Jordan McLean included in Mal Meninga’s 17.

“This is obviously a very important game in the context of the Rugby League World Cup and this squad of players reflects that,” said Meninga.

“Dane had a tremendous State of Origin series and deserves to play for the Kangaroos and it will be great to see him in the green and gold.

“Wade offers enormous impact for us while Jordan had a wonderful season for the Storm. Jordan was also extremely strong in the pre-tournament exhibition against Fiji and PNG.”

ENGLAND

1   Jonny LOMAX
2   Jermaine MCGILLVARY
3   Kallum WATKINS
4   John BATEMAN
5 Ryan HALL
6   Gareth WIDDOP
7   Luke GALE
8   Chris HILL
9   Josh HODGSON
10 James GRAHAM
11 Sam BURGESS
12 Elliott WHITEHEAD
13 Sean O’LOUGHLIN (c)
14 Alex WALMSLEY
15 Chris HEIGHINGTON
16 Thomas BURGESS
17 James ROBY

18 Ben CURRIE
19 Kevin BROWN
20 Mark PERCIVAL
21 Scott TAYLOR

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AUSTRALIA

1   Billy SLATER
2   Dane GAGAI
3   William CHAMBERS
4   Joshua DUGAN
5   Valentine HOLMES
6   Michael MORGAN
7   Cooper CRONK
8   Aaron WOODS
9   Cameron SMITH (c)
10 David KLEMMER
11 Boyd CORDNER
12 Matt GILLETT
13 Jake TRBOJEVIC
14 Wade GRAHAM
15 Jordan MCLEAN
16 Joshua MCGUIRE
17 Tyson FRIZELL

18 Reagan CAMPBELL-GILLARD
19 Ben HUNT
20 Tom TRBOJEVIC
21 Felise KAUFUSI