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05:58 GMT, Tuesday, 7 October 2008 06:58 UK

Smith tipped to win England call

By Paul Fletcher

Lee Smith

Keith Senior is tipping Leeds Rhinos team-mate Lee Smith for a place in the England World Cup squad for Australia.

Full-back Smith was man of the match as the Rhinos beat St Helens 24-16 in Saturday's Super League Grand Final.

"Lee Smith has definitely put his hand up," Senior said ahead of Tuesday's squad announcement at 1100 BST.

"He is the type of player you need in an England squad. He is one of those players who can definitely turn it on when he wants to."

Smith, who was moved from his usual spot on the wing to deputise for the injured Brent Webb at Old Trafford, scored his side's first try in the win over Saints.

The 22-year-old also bagged a brace of tries in the 18-14 victory over Wigan in the final eliminator.

England coach Tony Smith, who will name a 24-man squad for the World Cup, has already shown a willingness to select young players.

"The opportunity we have to bring back a World Cup is something I want to be part of"
Keith Senior

Harlequins duo Louis McCarthy Scarsbrook, 22, and Tony Clubb, 21, as well as Castleford's Joe Westerman, 18, have already been named in his train-on squad.

Bradford Bulls prop Sam Burgess, a key figure for Great Britain last year and still only 19, would have been in there as well had he not been sidelined by a shoulder injury.

Senior, now 32, is also hoping to be on the plane.

"I have been playing internationals since 1996 and every time I pull on the shirt is one of the proudest moments of my career," said the former Sheffield Eagle centre, who has played six times for England and 33 for Great Britain.

"The opportunity we have to bring back a World Cup is something I want to be part of."

606: DEBATE
"C'mon England.....give those arrogant Aussies some pasty and bring that trophy home!!! "
Jack Gallo

Senior was a member of the Great Britain team in 2003 when the Lions led every Test with five minutes remaining but lost the series 3-0 on home soil.

"It is a big regret that I have not won an Ashes series playing for Great Britain," he said.

"It plays on the back of your mind. I have beaten New Zealand in a series but to beat Australia and win the World Cup would get rid of all those memories of losing the Ashes series."

Leeds team-mate Danny McGuire seems certain to be in Smith's squad, but the stand-off, who scored two tries in the Grand Final, including a brilliant score when he dummied his way through the Saints defence, is not taking his selection for granted.

Keith Senior "I'm really hoping I get selected," McGuire told BBC Sport.

"I want an opportunity to go Down Under again. I went in 2006 and that was not was not the best experience for me."

McGuire was a member of the Great Britain touring party to Australia in 2006 and played in every game except the 23-12 victory in Sydney, GB's only win.

Asked whether he had a point to prove, McGuire said: "A little. I want to go and play well for England and represent my country, which is the biggest achievement in the game.

"I think we have a good enough squad to go there and compete."

England begin their campaign with a group game against Papua New Guinea in Townsville on 25 October before facing favourites Australia (2 November) and New Zealand (8 November).

Three countries from that pool will qualify for the semi-finals.



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Related to this story:

Sinfield praises Leeds 'warriors' (04 Oct 08 |  Rugby League )
St Helens 16-24 Leeds Rhinos (04 Oct 08 |  Rugby League )
England train-on squad in photos (01 Oct 08 |  Rugby League )
Rugby League World Cup squads (29 Sep 08 |  Rugby League )
Calderwood receives England call (29 Sep 08 |  Rugby League )
Smith to spring a surprise? (28 Sep 08 |  Rugby League )

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