Rugby League World Cup: England captain Sam Tomkins returns for quarter-final

Sam Tomkins plays for Super League side Catalans Dragons

Captain Sam Tomkins has returned to England's 19-man squad for their World Cup quarter-final against Papua New Guinea in Wigan on Saturday.

The full-back did not play in England's final group match last week which saw Shaun Wane's side defeat Greece 94-4.

Ryan Hall, England's record try-scorer, once again misses out with wing Dominic Young retaining his spot.

Tommy Makinson, who deputised at full-back for Tomkins last week, switches to the other wing.

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Centres Kallum Watkins and Herbie Farnworth, and forwards Michael McIlorum and Elliott Whitehead also return to the squad for the knockout match.

Forwards Andy Ackers, Joe Batchelor, Mikolaj Oledzki and Luke Thompson were the other players omitted from the 24-man squad.

Wane has kept goal-kicking scrum-half Marc Sneyd in his 19 following his 30-point haul, man-of-the-match performance against the Greeks but is likely to pair Jack Welsby with a rejuvenated George Williams at half-back.

England, who racked up 196 points in their three group wins, are expected to face their sternest challenge so far.

Welsby said: "I've played against PNG blokes like David Mead before so I know what to expect but it doesn't get much bigger than a World Cup quarter-final. It's pretty big and pretty special.

"This is a stepping stone and we want to go on and win it."

The game follows England women's group match against Canada.

England squad: Sam Tomkins (capt), Tommy Makinson, Kallum Watkins, Herbie Farnworth, Jack Welsby, George Williams, Tom Burgess, Micky McIlorum, Elliott Whitehead, John Bateman, Victor Radley, Dom Young, Morgan Knowles, Matty Lees, Mike Cooper, Chris Hill, Mike McMeeken, Marc Sneyd, Kai Pearce-Paul.

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