McNamara ends Brough’s exile as England name 22-man squad

Brough will be joined by the returning Leeds Rhinos pair Jamie Peacock and Kevin Sinfield, who both missed last year’s Four Nations tournament through injury.

Dewsbury-born Brough previously captained Scotland in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup after qualifying to play for them through his grandfather, but is set to make his England debut following his impressive form for the Giants this season.

England coach Steve McNamara named the 28-year-old as the only uncapped player in an experienced squad, but is excited at the prospect of Brough joining the side. He said: “His form has been there for all to see, he brings a lot of qualities to Huddersfield and I’m looking forward to him offering those qualities to England.”

Despite the absences of the injured Leon Pryce, Ben Jones Bishop and Ben Harrison – as well as the NRL-based players Gareth Ellis, Sam Burgess and Gareth Widdop – McNamara admitted it was difficult to reduce his pool to just 22 players.

He said: “There are considerably more than 22 players in Super League whose current form could justify England selection, which testifies to the high standard of the competition.”

Headingley Carnegie will host the match on Friday, June 10, in which England face an Exiles team which features a host of Australian and New Zealand players plying their trade in Super League. The team has been chosen by both the public and Exiles’ former Leeds Rhinos coach Brian McClennan.

Pre-purchased tickets for the match start from £19 for adults and £12 concessions and are available at www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk or by contacting the RFL on 0844 856 1113.

England: R Atkins, C Bridge, G Carvell, A Morley, R Myler, B Westwood (Warrington), T Briscoe (Hull FC), D Brough, E Crabtree, L Cudjoe, L Robinson (Huddersfield), J Graham, J Roby, J Wilkin (St Helens), R Hall, J Jones-Buchanan, J Peacock, K Sinfield (Leeds), S O’Loughlin, J Tomkins, S Tomkins (Wigan), M Shenton (Castleford).

Hull FC’s Kirk Yeaman is free to play in this weekend’s derby with Hull KR after he was not charged by the Rugby Football League’s disciplinary panel.

The 15-try centre could have missed Sunday’s match following his dangerous tackle on Huddersfield Giants’ Leroy Cudjoe last Sunday.