World Cup in McNamara's thoughts ahead of France match

Melbourne Storm full-back Gareth Widdop is the surprise inclusion in McNamara's 19-man squad for the Gillette Fusion game at Leigh Sports Village on Saturday, June 12 – England's only home match of 2010.

The 21-year-old Halifax-born Widdop, who emigrated with his family to Australia when he was 16, is one of three uncapped players named in McNamara's first selection

The other new faces are Bradford front rower Nick Scruton, 25, and Wigan second rower Joel Tomkins, 23, who joins his younger brother Sam in the England camp.

"We have one eye on the here and now and one eye on the future and our ambitions to win the Rugby League World Cup in 2013," said McNamara.

"Our focus is very much on beating France but all the players involved in this match will be aware they have a great opportunity to put down a marker for selection for the Four Nations at the end of the year.

"This match is important for us but there have been some longer-term issues as well. It's a matter of getting the balance right and I think I've done that."

Widdop, who worked his way through Melbourne's academy and Under-20s team to make his first-team debut this season, has confirmed his desire to represent the country of his birth despite also being eligible to play for Australia and has been preferred to Hull KR full-back Shaun Briscoe, one of three players dropped from England's Four Nations final team.

"I have done a lot of research on Gareth, both as a player and as a person, and all the reports have been very complimentary," said McNamara.

"He's been in Australia since he was 16 but he's very much an Englishman. I've spoken many times to him and he's shown a great desire to represent England. He's very excited, privileged and honoured to get the opportunity and he's looking forward to getting across and meeting his new team-mates."

Scruton, who got the nod ahead of Huddersfield front rower Eorl Crabtree, is rewarded for an impressive season with McNamara's Bradford club.

Hull KR winger Peter Fox is the other player left out, along with St Helens back rower Jon Wilkin, who is injured.

There are recalls for Hull winger Tom Briscoe, Wigan loose forward Sean O'Loughlin, who missed both the 2008 World Cup and the 2009 Four Nations series through injury, and Leeds stand-off Danny McGuire.

St Helens scrum half Kyle Eastmond has been included but he must prove his fitness after picking up an ankle injury in Saturday's Challenge Cup win over Barrow.

Leeds's forward Jamie Peacock, will lead the side as long as he comes through Friday's game against Wakefield.

England squad (v France on June 12): C Bridge (Warrington), T Briscoe (Hull), S Burgess (South Sydney), K Eastmond (St Helens), G Ellis (Wests Tigers), J Graham (St Helens), R Hall (Leeds), S O'Loughlin (Wigan), D McGuire (Leeds), A Morley (Warrington), J Peacock (Leeds), J Roby (St Helens), N Scruton (Bradford), M Shenton (Castleford), K Sinfield (Leeds), J Tomkins (Wigan), S Tomkins (Wigan), B Westwood (Warrington), G Widdop (Melbourne).