Latecomer Brown is handed his bow against the French

Huddersfield Giants stand-off Kevin Brown, Halifax-born Melbourne Storm full-back Gareth Widdop and Wigan second-row Joel Tomkins are all selected for the game at Leigh.

Brown was not even in the original 19-man squad but, after coming in as cover for the injured Kyle Eastmond and Danny McGuire, goes into the starting line-up forming a new half-back combination with Sam Tomkins.

McNamara believes the 25-year-old will make the most of his surprise chance.

"Kev's been given an opportunity he probably thought he'd never get and often, in these cases, people go on and grab them," he said.

"I think he could well do that. He's got the ability and the temperament and has been in great form for a long period.

"Him and Sam have practised well together and I feel they will make a very good half-back combination."

Joel Tomkins starts on the bench and he and younger brother Sam become the first siblings to play for their country since Widnes's Paul and David Hulme in 1989.

Bradford Bulls prop Nick Scruton also hoped to make his bow but he is named as 18th man and will be available for his club's game at the Crusaders on Sunday.

"Nick's progression has been very good," said McNamara.

"But he now needs to go away and try and push himself into a starting spot for England."

Captain Kevin Sinfield, who plays loose forward and stand-off for Leeds, has been chosen as the starting hooker after his success in that role during last year's Four Nations series.

France coach Bobbie Goulding was only able to name a starting 13. Full-back Dimitri Pelo and centre Vincent Duport have both withdrawn meaning rookie William Barthau was flown in as a late replacement yesterday.

France have former Harlequins half-back Tony Gigot making a debut alongside Lezignan's Nicolas Munoz.

England: Widdop (Melbourne); Briscoe (Hull), Bridge (Warrington), Shenton (Castleford), Hall (Leeds); Brown (Huddersfield), S Tomkins (Wigan); Graham (St Helens), Sinfield (Leeds), Peacock (Leeds, capt), Ellis (Wests Tigers), Burgess (South Sydney), O'Loughlin (Wigan). Substitutes: Roby (St Helens), Morley (Warrington), Westwood (Warrington), J Tomkins (Wigan).

France: Villegas (Toulouse); Piquemal (Lezignan), Gossard (Catalans), Raguin (Catalans), Vaccari (Catalans); Gigot (Catalans), Munoz (Lezignan), Ferriol (Catalans), Mounis (Catalans), Casty (Catalans), Elima (Catalans, capt), Fakir (Catalans), Bentley (Catalans). Substitutes (from): Barthau (Catalans), Griffi (Toulouse), Quintilla (Lezignan), Simon (Catalans), Tisseyre (Toulouse), Touxagas (Catalans).

Wakefield's influential Australian second-row Glenn Morrison, 34, has signed a new one-year deal at Belle Vue.

Hull KR play their 100th Super League game tonight against a Warrington side missing Adrian Morley, Chris Bridge and Ben Westwood due to England commitments.