From BBC Sport · · 1m
Watkins called up as Smithies injury forces England change
England rugby league replace injured Morgan Smithies with 35-year-old Kallum Watkins for the World Cup in Perth.
In brief
England rugby league replace injured Morgan Smithies with 35-year-old Kallum Watkins for the World Cup in Perth. England rugby league called up 35-year-old Kallum Watkins to replace injured Morgan Smithies in their Rugby League World Cup squad. Originally reported by BBC Sport.
Watkins replaces injured Smithies
Kallum Watkins has been called up to England's Rugby League World Cup squad as a late replacement after Morgan Smithies was forced to withdraw through injury.
McDermott backs familiar choice
Head coach Brian McDermott knows Watkins well from their time together at Leeds Rhinos. McDermott said Watkins enjoyed a terrific season with Leeds this year and has been part of England's performance programme building into…
“Kallum enjoyed a terrific season with Leeds this year and has been part of our England performance programme building into this World Cup.”
Watkins arrives but sits out opener
The thirty five year old Leeds Rhinos second-row forward is set to arrive in Perth before England's World Cup opener against Tonga on Saturday at ten oh five BST but will not play.
At a glance
England rugby league called up 35-year-old Kallum Watkins to replace injured Morgan Smithies in their Rugby League World Cup squad.
