McNamara plotting win over Wales (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

McNamara plotting win over Wales

7:10am Saturday 17th October 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(4)

Steve McNamara has stressed the importance of England’s Four Nations warm-up against Wales tonight.

The Bridgend clash will act as an appetiser for the tournament against France, Australia and New Zealand which kicks off next weekend.

Bulls supremo McNamara, who doubles as England assistant coach, sees the game as the perfect chance to shed some rust ahead of the bigger international challenges ahead.

McNamara said: “It’s important for us because a lot of the players in the squad haven’t played a game for a number of weeks.

“You can do all the training you want but players need to get used to that contact again and getting their timing right.

“The group of players we use against Wales will be slightly different to next week but they will all be keen to impress Tony (Smith) in particular and earn their chance.”

The England Four Nations line-up is very different from the World Cup side as Smith wields the axe.

Only 11 of the 24-man squad have survived from that dismal performance, with some big-name casualties headed by the likes of Leon Pryce, Rob Burrow and Paul Wellens. Paul Sykes is the sole Bulls representative.

McNamara added: “There have been some changes made and this is a big opportunity for the players coming in. They will be looking forward to it.”

Warrington’s former Bulls utility back Chris Bridge is the biggest surprise inclusion after he switched allegiance from Ireland.