St George Illawarra Dragons captain Gareth Widdop has been named in the England team to face France in the international fixture at Parc des Sports, Avignon on Saturday.
The Kings Cross junior, alongside departing teammate Mike Cooper, is part of a 19-man squad named by Head Coach Wayne Bennett.
“The players have trained well all week and are looking forward to the trip to France," said Bennett.
“There’s plenty of competition for places in this squad and it’s good to see a few new faces in there possibly having a run out in Avignon.
“The week leading into this game has been good and the training facilities in London at the Honourable Artillery Company have been outstanding.
“France are a passionate team and will have plenty of support behind them in Avignon.
"There’s talent in their side and some Super League experience so we know what to expect on Saturday.
"As the away side, it’s the kind of environment that I want my side to be challenged in this international Test.”
Gareth Widdop (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Mike Cooper (St George Illawarra Dragons/Warrington Wolves)
Kevin Brown (Widnes Vikings)
George Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Thomas Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Daryl Clark (Warrington Wolves)
Liam Farrell (Wigan Warriors)
Luke Gale (Castleford Tigers)
James Graham (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos)
Josh Hodgson (Canberra Raiders)
Jonny Lomax (St Helens)
Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield Giants)
Mark Percival (St Helens)
Stefan Ratchford (Warrington Wolves)
Scott Taylor (Hull FC)
Stevie Ward (Leeds Rhinos)
Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos)
Elliott Whitehead (Canberra Raiders)
