Shenton and Clark get England reward

The Yorkshire Post understands the Super League Dream Team pair have each got the nod from England coach Steve McNamara following their superb campaigns at Wheldon Road.

Centre Shenton, 28, has not played for his country since 2010 but has forced his way back into the reckoning following his excellent showings for Challenge Cup finalists Castleford during the 2014 season.

Uncapped hooker Clark, meanwhile, was always likely to make the tour given his sensational season which could also yet see him named Man of Steel and/or Super League Young Player of the Year on Wednesday night.

McNamara will announce tomorrow, too, that Wigan Warriors loose forward Sean O’Loughlin will replace Kevin Sinfield as England captain following the Leeds Rhinos player’s surprise decision to quit international football at the start of last month.

O’Loughlin, 31, was the obvious choice given his leadership quality and the fact another likely candidate – Sam Burgess – is moving to rugby union after playing for South Sydney in tomorrow’s National Rugby League Grand Final against Canterbury Bulldogs.

O’Loughlin, who debuted for Great Britain against Australia in 2004, has missed a lot of international football in recent seasons due to injury but is fit now and in fine form ahead of the trip.

After his sterling efforts with Catalan Dragons this term, helping them get to within 80 minutes of a maiden Grand Final, ex-Bradford Bulls second-row Elliott Whitehead is also believed to be in the squad for the first time.

England fly out a week Tuesday ahead of their opener against Samoa in Brisbane on October 25.

They then face Australia in Melbourne on November 2 and New Zealand six days later at Dunedin hoping to reach the November 15 final in Wellington.