Thursday, 14 May 2009 15:14
St Helens stand-off Leon Pryce left out of England elite squad
St Helens star Leon Pryce has been frozen out of head coach Tony Smith's England elite training squad after the 17-man lineup was named today.
The squad includes nine of the players who represented England at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, including captain Jamie Peacock of Leeds Rhinos, St Helens' man of steel James Graham and Warrington Wolves star Adrian Morley.
Among the new faces are Bradford's Sam Burgess and Wigan's Sean O'Loughlin, who both missed the World Cup through injury, while Wakefield Wildcats centre Ryan Atkins, Hull FC's Tom Briscoe and Castleford Tigers duo Michael Shenton and Joe Westerman also make the programme.
However, Pryce - who has won 24 international caps in a star-studded career thus far - is arguably the most high-profile omission.
The stand-off was last month found guilty of assaulting former team-mate Stuart Reardon's estranged wife and her new boyfriend, for which he was given a 12-week suspended sentence and warned by his club over his conduct.
It is not clear if this case played a part in Smith's decision, although several commentators have suggested that the coach was unhappy with the negative headlines caused by Pryce's off-field antics.
He is not the only big name to miss out, however, with Saints team-mate Paul Wellens omitted as well as Leeds Rhinos star Kevin Sinfield.
Smith confirmed that more players would be added to the squad throughout the season, which will enable them to benefit from targeted coaching and a closer relationship with the international selectors and backroom staff.
"More players will be added to the programme throughout the season and the aim is to provide an elite training environment for a wide range of players from a variety of different clubs who, in turn, will benefit from their players being involved," he said.
"Although only 17 players have been named so far, by no means does it guarantee their place in the mid-season Test against France or the upcoming Four Nations.
"As always the playing squads will be picked on form which means the door is still wide open to all players with international aspirations."
Two of Super League's emerging young stars - Harlequins' Louie McCarthy Scarsbrook and Salford City Reds scrum-half Richard Myler - are also included after making their England debuts against Wales last year.
And Smith praised the make-up of the squad for its "mixture of youth and experience from a number of different clubs".
"I believe the players selected so far reflects that not only are we planning for this autumn's Four Nations tournament but also the 2013 World Cup which we hope to stage in this country," the coach added.
England's first international of the season will see them face France in Paris on Saturday June 13th.
Full 17-man England elite training squad:Ryan Atkins (Wakefield Wildcats)
Tom Briscoe (Hull FC)
Sam Burgess (Bradford Bulls)
Rob Burrow (Leeds Rhinos)
Maurie Fa'asavalu (St Helens)
James Graham (St Helens)
Louie McCarthy Scarsbrook (Harlequins RL)
Danny McGuire (Leeds Rhinos)
Adrian Morley (Warrington Wolves)
Richard Myler (Salford City Reds)
Sean O'Loughlin (Wigan Warriors)
Jamie Peacock (Leeds Rhinos)
James Roby (St Helens)
Michael Shenton (Castleford Tigers)
Joe Westerman (Castleford Tigers)
Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves)
Jon Wilkin (St Helens)