McGillvary poised for England debut in decisive Test against Kiwis

The 27-year-old was on Thursday called into coach Steve McNamara’s 19-man squad, along with Wigan scrum-half Matty Smith, who is poised for a recall on his home ground.

They look set to replace Wigan 21-year-olds Joe Burgess and George Williams as McNamara prepares to shuffle his line-up for the first time in the series.

Both winger Burgess and half-back Williams remain in the 19, with McNamara unlikely to confirm his line-up until 90 minutes before kick-off, but they look likely to pay the price for a below-par team performance, at least on attack, during last Saturday’s 9-2 defeat in London.

The news will come as no surprise to Williams, who failed to spark the England attack at the Olympic Stadium and anticipated the axe in post-match interviews.

It means Burgess will be denied the chance to play a final game at the DW Stadium before he leaves Super League to take up a three-year contract with NRL club Sydney Roosters, where McNamara is assistant coach.

Centre Leroy Cudjoe, McGillvary’s Huddersfield team-mate, and Warrington forward Ben Westwood are the two players left out of the England 19 after being unused in the first two Tests against the Kiwis and the opening autumn international against France.