England v New Zealand: Sam Burgess returns as Bennett makes five changes to England squad

CASTLEFORD Tigers scrum-half Luke Gale today took a step closer to making the cut for England's Ladbrokes Four Nations opener against New Zealand but there is no place for Hull FC prop Scott Taylor.
England's Sam Burgess during a training session at South Leeds Stadium. (Photo: PA)England's Sam Burgess during a training session at South Leeds Stadium. (Photo: PA)
England's Sam Burgess during a training session at South Leeds Stadium. (Photo: PA)

The latter was left out of Wayne Bennett’s 19-man squad along with Warrington Wolves’ utility Stefan Ratchford, Widnes Vikings stand-off Kevin Brown, St Helens centre Mark Percival and Leeds Rhinos second-row Stevie Ward.

However, Gale - who debuted against France last week - does get the nod and looks like challenging Wigan Warriors’ George Williams for the N07 role at Huddersfield on Saturday.

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Huddersfield Giants winger Jermaine McGillvary is named along with Leeds duo Ryan Hall and Kallum Watkins.

Bennett has made five changes to the squad that was named for the warm-up win against the French in Avignon.

Sam Burgess returns as England captain and makes his first appearance since the Rugby League World Cup semi-final against New Zealand at Wembley Stadium in 2013.

Joining the ex-Bradford Bulls star in the squad is Wigan’s Gold Coast Titans-bound centre Dan Sarginson, who last played for England in the 2014 Four Nations against the Kiwis, Warrington prop Chris Hill, Wigan second-row John Bateman and Williams.

Squad: Bateman, G Burgess, S Burgess, T Burgess, Clark, Cooper, Farrell, Gale, Graham, Hall, Hill, Hodgson, Lomax, McGillvary, Sarginson, Watkins, Whitehead, Widdop, Williams.