Shaun Wane hopes England captaincy can revitalise John Bateman

The 28-year-old former Bradford back rower experienced a below-par season in 2021.

England coach Shaun Wane is expecting Wigan forward John Bateman to be revitalised by his appointment as captain for Saturday’s Test match against France in Perpignan.

The 28-year-old former Bradford back rower experienced a below-par season in 2021 following his return from a successful spell in the NRL with Canberra Raiders but Wane is hoping the captaincy will help him rediscover his old form.

Bateman got the nod ahead of St Helens stand-off Jonny Lomax as the replacement for Catalans Dragons full-back Sam Tomkins, who led England for the first time in the mid-season game against the Combined Nations All Stars but is sidelined with a knee injury.

England Head Coach Unveiling – University of Bolton Stadium — England coach Shaun Wane has finalised his line-up for the Test against France (Anthony Devlin/PA)

Bateman was seen as captaincy material back in 2012 when he led an England academy squad on a tour to Australia that included current full internationals Ben Currie, George Williams, Mark Percival and Luke Thompson.

Twelve months later he was signed by then Wigan coach Wane from Bradford and two years later won his first England cap, impressing on debut in an 84-4 rout of France at Leigh.

“I have a lot of history with John and we trust each other,” Wane said. “He’s a really good leader.

England v New Zealand – International Match – Elland Road — Jonny Lomax was considered for the England captaincy before it went to John Bateman (Richard Sellers/PA)

“I’m hoping this will bring the best out on him come Saturday.”

Tomkins’ place at full-back goes to Castleford’s Niall Evalds, one of three new faces in the line-up finalised by Wane.

“He’s deserved his chance,” Wane said. “He’s been in and around the system and the international camp for a long time.

“He’s got great speed and good vision – his fundamentals as a full-back are spot on – and I’m excited about what he can do. I hope he takes his chance, I’m sure he will.”

Wakefield Trinity v Castleford Tigers – Betfred Super League – The Mobile Rocket Stadium — Niall Evalds will make his England debut in the absence of Sam Tomkins (Martin Rickett/PA)

That means there is no place for Leeds’ exciting centre Harry Newman, who is left out of the initial 20-man squad along with hooker Danny Walker (Warrington) and prop Matty Lees (St Helens).

“I’m happy with how Harry’s playing and he wasn’t far off,” Wane explained. “We’ve had an honest chat and I do see him featuring in the World Cup next year.”

Leeds Rhinos v Hull Kingston Rovers – Betfred Super League – Emerald Headingley Stadium — Hull KR half-back Jordan Abdull is among the new faces for England (Mike Egerton/PA)

The referee for Saturday’s Test will be Frenchman Ben Casty, brother of former Catalans prop Remi, a former captain of France whose decision to hang up his boots at the end of the 2021 season snuffed out any prospect of an international comeback.

England: N Evalds (Castleford); T Davies (Catalans), R Lyne (Wakefield), Z Hardaker (Wigan), T Makinson (St Helens); J Lomax (St Helens), J Abdull (Hull KR); A Walmsley (St Helens), P McShane (Castleford), M Cooper (Warrington), J Bateman (Wigan, capt), L Farrell (Wigan), M Knowles (St Helens).

Replacements: B Currie (Warrington), K Leeming (Leeds), M Oledzki (Leeds), J Philbin (Warrington).