Anderson happy to help out clubs in difficult period with Exiles selection

They have all been included in a 25-man Exiles squad to be whittled down after the weekend for Wednesday’s International Origin game against England.

None have appeared before, remarkably in the case of Australian scrum-half Dobson who has been such a force in Super League.

He should get the nod this time, however, given the injury to Wigan’s Thomas Leuluai who broke a leg in the first game.

There is no place, though, for Hull KR full-back Shannon McDonnell who loses his spot, suggesting Warrington Wolves No1 and Exiles captain Brett Hodgson will return from injury.

Hull KR, who announced the capture of North Queensland Cowboys back-row Cory Paterson earlier this week, are bidding to immediately bounce back from last week’s galling 13-10 loss against Catalan Dragons.

Exiles coach Daniel Anderson is keen to alleviate pressure on clubs by selecting no more than three players from each Super League outfit. Rovers’ opponents St Helens have Francis Meli, Lance Hohaia and Sia Soliola on call, all of whom played in the side that lost the opener 18-10 to England.

Anderson said: “We’ve attempted to satisfy some of the requests from clubs in a difficult period. There are no more than three players from any club, which accounts for many of the changes from game one.

“Also, many of the more mature members of the squad have found it challenging on their bodies to get ready when faced with three games in seven days.”

Other inclusions include a recall for Leeds Rhinos prop Kylie Leuluai, chances for Bradford Bulls’ hooker Heath L’Estrange and Huddersfield Giants’ Jason Chan plus the inclusion of Wakefield centre Vince Mellars.

Exiles squad: Gelling (Wigan), Kaufusi (London), Galea (Hull KR), Hodgson (Warrington, capt), Holdsworth (Salford), Millard (Catalan), Faiumu (Huddersfield), Fa’alogo (Huddersfield), Lauaki (Wigan), Meli (St Helens), L’Estrange (Bradford), Webster (Hull KR), Chan (Huddersfield), Monaghan (Warrington), Moon (Salford), Leuluai (Leeds), Hohaia (St Helens), Robertson (London), Dobson (Hull KR), Dureau (Catalan), Soliola (St Helens), Menzies (Catalan), Waterhouse (Warrington), Mellars (Wakefield), Manu (Hull).