Herbie Farnworth set to miss England’s Tonga Test series through injury
HERBIE Farnworth is set to miss England’s Test series with Tonga because of injury.
But skipper George Williams will feature as the national side makes a second appeal against his ban tonight.
Brisbane Broncos centre Farnworth suffered a hamstring scare in the build-up to their NRL Grand Final defeat by Penrith Panthers.
Now after being seen to be testing his leg during the showpiece, he is not likely to be named in boss Shaun Wane’s 24-man party.
Farnworth’s absence may open the door to Wigan Grand Final star Jake Wardle, while St Helens’ Mark Percival and Salford’s Kallum Watkins are in the running for the second centre slot.
A challenge to Wiliams’ original one-match suspension picked up as Warrington lost their play-off game at St Helens was deemed ‘frivolous’ and an extra game added.
But another plea will be heard – if it is reduced back to one, Williams is likely to stay in.
If it is not, that may open a path for Harry Smith to line-up in the halves after his Grand Final heroics – and while he has been linked with an NRL move, he is not looking to switch yet.
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He said, as he looks to play alongside Williams: “It’s every English lad’s goal, I feel, to go over to what’s meant to be the biggest stage of rugby league.
“That’s something you want to achieve in the future but if we can keep the core of players at Wigan, it can mean success for a few years – I don’t really want to miss out on that
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“It’s unfortunate what’s happened to George and hopefully it can get sorted, we want the best England team to be out there.”
NRL-based players, who have had at least two weeks rest and in Thomas Burgess’ case a rest since September 1, are already here.
Burgess was joined by winger Dom Young at Sunday’s NFL match at Tottenham as part of strategic partner IMG’s work to develop the game.
Elliott Whitehead, who wore a scarf for former club Catalans at Saturday’s Super League Grand Final, is believed to be in, along with Sydney Roosters’ Victor Radley and West Tigers’ John Bateman.
Wigan-bound prop Luke Thompson is not thought to have been selected.