British League Side Of Youth, Veterans

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31018, 25 March 1966, Page 15

British League Side Of Youth, Veterans

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter —Copyright) LONDON. The British Rugby League selectors have built a fast, young side around a core of veterans in their team to tour Australia and New Zealand this year.

The experience is there in the form of the captain and loose forward, H. Poole, the vice-captain and fullback, K. Gowers, the prop, B. Edgar, and the centre A. Murphy. The newcomers to interna tional football are A. Keegan (full-back), W. Aspinal (stand-off), C. Dooler, T Bishop (both scrum-halves) G. Crewdson (prop) and T Fogerty (second row). Two surprise omission

were the captain of the last tour, E. Ashton, whb said he was available if needed, and N. Fox, Who as centre has beaten all previous scoring records for his dub, Wakefield Trinity. It is a commentary on the shortage of top-class English centres that only G. Shelton and A. Buckley regularly fill this position. Murphy and F. Myler, also named as centres, usually play at half-back. B. Edgar is a forward of the ball-playing type badly needed by Britain and there is plenty of speed and strength in the young second row. ; The selectors were faced

with no easy task because there is a shortage of really outstanding players and Britain’s form in overcoming the New Zealanders, but losing both tests to France this season, was disappointing. Taking the view that open football is as important as getting the ball in Australia, England has brought in two fast running hookers, C. Clarke and P. Flanagan. The team, under the manager, Mr W. Spaven, and the assistant manager, Mr J. Errock, will fly to Australia at the end of May. They will play three tests in Australia and two in New Zealand.