AJ Brimson is set to make his England debut at full-back in the second Test against Australia in Liverpool on Saturday after Jack Welsby was left out of Shaun Wane’s 19-man matchday squad.
Wigan half-back Harry Smith has been recalled after sitting out the first Test, with Canberra’s former Warriors forward Morgan Smithies also brought in.
Versatile Kallum Watkins also comes into the squad, with prop Ethan Havard and second row John Bateman dropped.
Brisbane-born Brimson switched allegiance from Australia to England earlier this year, qualifying through his mother from London.
Smith, having featured in the previous six England matches before the Australia series, was omitted from the squad for last Saturday’s first Test as Wane opted for Mikey Lewis alongside captain George Williams as the half-back pairing.
Hull KR’s Lewis has retained his place with Williams in the matchday squad, from which Wane will select 17 players to face the Kangaroos at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Wane had pledged to make changes following the 26-6 defeat in the first Test at Wembley.
England squad: AJ Brimson, Daryl Clark, Herbie Farnworth, Tom Johnstone, Morgan Knowles, Matty Lees, Mikey Lewis, Jez Litten, Mike McMeeken, Mikolaj Oledzki, Kai Pearce-Paul, Harry Smith, Morgan Smithies, Owen Trout, Alex Walmsley, Jake Wardle, Kallum Watkins, George Williams, Dom Young.
