Superstar Inglis to be matched by ‘on-fire’ Reed

Reed, who has enjoyed a breakthrough season in the NRL with Brisbane Broncos, makes only his third Test appearance when England face the Kangaroos at Wembley this afternoon.

Their opponents are bolstered by the return of the barnstorming South Sydney three-quarter Inglis, possibly the game’s most dynamic player.

But England second-row Ellis, who also plays in the NRL with Wests Tigers, said: “Jack has been on fire, playing well week in, week out for Brisbane and he’s come up against some world-class centres and got one over on them.

“It’s a great plus to have him on our side. I think he’ll open a few eyes at the weekend.

“You saw glimpses of what he is capable of with his try against France.

“Certainly when I’ve seen him play for Brisbane he’s been a stand-out and I hope he can bring his ‘A’ game at the weekend.

“It’s a great challenge for him.”

Ellis, 30, is relishing the chance to play at Wembley, something he felt had gone when he moved to Sydney three years ago.

“I really thought I’d passed up on my chance to play at Wembley by going over to Australia,” he said.

“We did make the Challenge Cup final in 2005 with Leeds but it was played at the Millennium Stadium.

“I’m really grateful for this opportunity. I’ve got great memories of watching Challenge Cup finals and Test matches there but I’ve never played.

“This is my chance and to be doing it against Australia is a dream come true.”

Australia prop David Shillington is back in contention for today’s match against England after recovering from injury.

The Canberra front rower was ruled out of coach Tim Sheens’s 19-man squad on Thursday with the ankle injury he picked up in the controversial tackle by hooker Issac Luke during the Kangaroo’s 26-12 win over New Zealand last Friday.

But the 28-year-old proved his fitness during yesterday afternoon’s captain’s training run at Wembley and has been drafted onto a seven-man bench, from which Sheens will select his four substitutes.

Meanwhile, Ellis’s former club Wakefield Trinity Wildcats have parted company with ex-Wigan duo Josh Veivers and Stuart Howarth.

Trinity academy product Adam Slater, 19, has signed a new two-year contract and been promoted to the first team squad by coach Richard Agar.