England head coach Shaun Wane says switching Saints ace Jack Welsby for Australia-born AJ Brimson is the ‘safer’ option for tomorrow’s second Ashes Test.
The Ashes Series returned to the rugby league calendar after a 22-year absence with Australia taking a 26-6 win in the opener at Wembley last weekend.
This prompted Wane to make several surprising changes to the squad heading into the second test.
Welsby misses-out despite being given the captaincy role in the series against Tonga last year.
Speaking to Sky Sports Wane said: “He is an outstanding athlete, but that is my call, and I think we are safer with AJ.
“It is a gut feeling, we have got 24 people in the squad, and I am trying to use everybody that is going to give us the best.”
Brimson makes his debut for England since switching allegiances from the Aussies, being able to do so since his mother is from London.
Wane also made further changes that sees Welsby’s Saints teammate Daryl Clark also dropped to the bench, as he makes way for fellow Hooker Jez Litten.
For the second test, Everton Football Club’s newly-built Hill Dickinson stadium sets the scene and Wane is hoping a slightly changed England squad can improve on the one and only try they scored last weekend.
Lions captain and Warrington Wolves’ George Williams stated in his BBC Sport column that despite being a Liverpool fan, he is ‘really looking forward’ to the trip to Bramley Moore Docks.
The half back said: “Wembley had a big crowd, and the atmosphere was good, but we know Everton could be even better. It is close to St Helens, Widnes, Wigan, Warrington- all places where they are really passionate about rugby league.”
The Australians took the series lead with a super display from Brisbane Broncos fullback Reece Walsh and with the 23-year-old named in the Kangaroo’s squad, fans are heading into Saturday’s game with confidence.
Jesse Woods, an Australian Super League fan said: “I think we will win comfortably again, especially with how fast paced we are playing and with the way Recce Walsh, probably our best player, has been performing.”
In Australia, rugby league is one of the biggest sports and many see its NRL as being the flagship competition in the sport.
As a result, a long line of English players, such as former St Helens ace James Graham, have been lured to Australia to test themselves.
Woods added: “I do think the standard in Australia is a bit higher as it is one of the biggest sports we play and one of the most popular. Which is the same reason why England are much better at football. But I do think we will out play England again.”
