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Tigers teenager Joe Westerman earns England call-up
CASTLEFORD teenager Joe Westerman has been called into England's 19-man squad for Saturday's Gillette Fusion international against France.
The 19-year-old loose forward is set to win his first cap as a replacement for Wigan skipper Sean O'Loughlin, who withdrew today with a knee injury sustained in his club's 34-18 win over Salford on Friday.
O'Loughlin, 26, also missed last year's World Cup in Australia due to a shoulder problem.
Westerman, the 2008 Super League young player of the year, joined up with the squad today in time for their flight to Paris and could be one of four debutants at Stade Jean Bouin, alongside Huddersfield hooker Scott Moore, Wigan half-back Sam Tomkins and Leeds winger Ryan Hall.
The former Featherstone Lions amateur, who was named as part of the elite training squad last month, was in the England squad that travelled to Toulouse last June but did not feature in the match.
He was also part of the England train-on squad last season but was not selected for the World Cup because of a foot injury.
England have no other injury concerns, with Wakefield centre Ryan Atkins set to win his third cap despite missing his club's defeat at Bradford yesterday with a slight shoulder problem.
Coach Tony Smith is, however, awaiting the outcome of the Rugby Football League's match review panel to see if captain Jamie Peacock (Leeds) and forward Sam Burgess (Bradford) are available.
Both players were involved on-field skirmishes over the weekend and are waiting to hear if they facing disciplinary hearings tomorrow.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -8 C to 1 C
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