‘He really deserves his chance’ – Paul Cooke remarks on the England debutant

VaselineJune 29, 2024

0 2 minutes read

‘He really deserves his chance’ – Paul Cooke remarks on the England debutant

England take on France tonight in Toulouse with six debutants set to feature in the clash, but former Hull FC and Hull KR player Paul Cooke has singled out one player he believes “really deserves his chance”.

The squad that was named by Shaun Wane on Monday featured a mix of youth and experience but certainly leaned more towards youth with a total of six uncapped players including Wigan Warriors prop Brad O’Neill and St Helens prop George Delaney .

One of the older players in the squad, but still a potential debutant, is Hull KR captain Elliot Minchella, the 28-year-old having been rewarded after a couple of consistent seasons with an international call-up.

Minchella took over the captaincy at Craven Park this season following the retirement of former Kiwi international Shaun Kenny-Dowall and has seen the loose forward’s play reach new heights, regularly breaking tackle numbers while being a creative outlet and addition to the back vertebral.

Former KR and FC man Paul Cooke, who will be commentating on the game, paid special attention to Minchella in his pre-match preview.

QUIZ: Can you name these 10 former international players?

Former England internationals will comment on the clash with France

Credit: Imago Images

Both the England men’s and women’s teams take on France today, with both matches being streamed live on SuperLeague+ for free, and more details on how to watch are available here.

Commentating on both games will be former Wigan man Craig Murdock alongside Paul Cooke and the pair previewed the games to be played this afternoon.

Cooke explained: “Being based in Hull, I’ve enjoyed watching Elliot Minchella develop over the last couple of years and I think he really deserves this chance.”

He also name-checked another former Hull KR player who is another potential debutant in Sam Wood, noting: “It will be interesting to see how Sam Wood goes at center, and the same for Brad O’Neill at hook .

“They all know this is their big chance to impress ahead of the series against Samoa at the end of the year when we’ll have NRL boys like Farnworth, Young and Smithies back in high school.”

He also referred to the impressive France squad that was named with the Catalans Dragons fielding 13 of their players, thus allowing for a much stronger France side than the team that were whitewashed 64-0 on Halliwell Jones Stadium in 2023.

Cooke said: “I’m also looking forward to seeing this France team. They look a lot stronger than the last two games we’ve played against them and you’d think they’ll also be inspired by the home advantage in Toulouse.

“It’s so important for us in England to have France as strong international opposition, both for men and women – and I’d like to think that Rugby League fans from all clubs will be keen to watch this weekend’s games , when there are no male or female competitions. Action in the Women’s Super League.”

VaselineJune 29, 2024

0 2 minutes read

QUIZ: Can you name these 10 former international players?

Former England internationals will comment on the clash with France

Vaseline

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