England may be 6/1 third favourites to win the Four Nations Series but coach Steve McNamara believes he has named a squad capable of causing an upset.
The Four Nations starts at the end of October with England, Wales, Australia and holders New Zealand battling it out in the UK for the prestigious trophy.
Now the Super League season has come to an end McNamara has announced his 24-man squad and has opted to chose seven players from Super League champions Leeds Rhinos.
Rhinos prop Jamie Peacock will captain the side and has been joined by team-mates Carl Ablett, Ryan Bailey, Ryan Hall, Ben Jones-Bishop, Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Kevin Sinfield.
Beaten Grand Finalists St Helens have four players in the squad with 21-year-old Jonny Lomaz joining James Graham, James Roby and Jon Wilkin.
NRL-based players Jack Read (Brisbane Broncos), Gareth Ellis and Chris Heighington (Wests Tigers) and Gareth Widdop (Melbourne Storm) are also included in the squad.
McNamara said: “I am really happy with the balance of the squad. There is an excellent blend of strength, experience and flair and we have real quality in every department.
“For the squad and my coaching staff it is important to look forward and make sure we are fully prepared and ready for what should be an excellent Gillette Four Nations tournament.
“One of the pleasing aspects for me is the significant amount of home grown talent that has come through the Academy system. At least three quarters of the squad is made up of players that are Federation Trained and that just shows the strength we now have and the clear pathway we are trying to promote.”
England’s campaign gets underway on Saturday October 29 when they take on Wales at Leigh Sports Village and McNamara’s men are third favourites at 6/1 with
Bet365, while Iestyn Harris’ Welshman are total outsiders at 250/1.
Australia are favourites to win the tournament despite losing the 2010 Final to the Kiwis, Tim Sheens’ Kangaroos are on offer at 4/9 with the holders next in line at 11/4.
England Four Nations Squad:
Carl Ablett (Leeds Rhinos)
Ryan Bailey (Leeds Rhinos)
Tom Briscoe (Hull FC)
Garreth Carvell (Warrington Wolves)
Rangi Chase (Castleford Tigers)
Leroy Cudjoe (Huddersfield Giants)
Gareth Ellis (Wests Tigers)
James Graham (St Helens)
Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos)
Chris Heighington (Wests Tigers)
Ben Jones-Bishop (Leeds Rhinos)
Jamie Jones-Buchanan (Leeds Rhinos)
Jonny Lomax (St Helens)
Michael McIlorum (Wigan Warriors)
Adrian Morley (Warrington Wolves)
Jamie Peacock (captain) (Leeds Rhinos)
Jack Reed (Brisbane Broncos)
James Roby (St Helens)
Kevin Sinfield (Leeds Rhinos)
Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors)
Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves)
Gareth Widdop (Melbourne Storm)
Jon Wilkin (St Helens)
Kirk Yeaman (Hull FC)
