England have been rocked by injury ahead of the Rugby League World Cup, with Perth Bears-bound Morgan Smithies ruled out of the tournament.
Leeds Rhinos’ Kallum Watkins will head to Australia to take the place of second-row Smithies striker.
Watkins, who played in two of last year’s three Ashes Tests against Australia, will arrive in Perth before the weekend but will not play in Saturday’s opener against Tonga.
Coach Brian McDermott said: “It’s really unfortunate what has happened to Morgan with an injury picked up in training.
“Morgan has been great since we came into camp. He’s a real team player and his work ethic and toughness are qualities we will certainly miss.
“Kallum enjoyed a great season with Leeds this year and has been part of our England Performance Program building up to this World Cup.
“I look forward to welcoming him to camp as we ramp up our preparations.”
Watkins, 35, began his illustrious career as a center but has moved up the ranks in recent years and played under McDermott at club level during his first spell as a player at Headingley.
If he features, he will be playing in his fourth Rugby League World Cup having previously represented his country on home soil in 2013 and 2022 plus Down Under when England progressed to the 2017 final.
Men’s pool
- Group A: Australia, New Zealand, Cook Islands, Fiji
- Group B: England, Lebanon, Samoa
- Group C: France, Papua New Guinea, Tonga
