Kyle handed England spot

OLDHAMER Kyle Eastmond has been handed his big chance by being promoted to the starting line-up for England’s must–win Gillette Four Nations clash with New Zealand at Huddersfield tomorrow.

Coach Tony Smith has dropped stand–off Danny McGuire and three–quarters Lee Smith and Tom Briscoe, replacing them with Chris Bridge, Peter Fox and Eastmond.

The other change to the side that lost 26–16 to Australia is the recall of St Helens’ back row forward John Wilkin for his first appearance since the World Cup.

“There have been some tough decisions to leave players out,” said Smith. “But at the same time it’s nice to give some people some opportunities.

“It shows they’ve got to take their opportunities while they are there because there are some quality people behind them.”

Eastmond was on the bench for England’s opening two games and after promising displays gets the chance to start in place of the disappointing McGuire.

“I’d like to see more involvement from Kyle,” said Smith. “What he’s shown so far has been exciting and we probably need to get him a little bit closer to the action.”

The most eye–catching change is the call–up of Bridge, who made his England debut in the warm–up game against Wales.

“He’s had a strong year,” said Smith, who is Bridge’s coach at Warrington. “He’s a big physical young man who has got some great attacking abilities.”

Meanwhile, “super–sub” Eorl Crabtree again finds himself on the bench and is determined to make an impact.

The pony–tailed 6ft 6in, 18st forward has had a devastating effect as a substitute for Huddersfield this year, coming on midway through the first half and providing much–needed impetus for his side after the early exchanges have died down.

He had a similar impact with England in last Saturday’s match against Australia at Wigan, where his powerful running and damaging offloads helped inspire a superb second–half fightback that restored home pride.

“It’s something I kind of specialise in,” said Crabtree, who started just five of his 27 appearances for Huddersfield this year.

“It’s something I’ve done for the Giants for years. I have the quality to start a game as well but I don’t have the same impact. If you want the best out of me, it is probably off the bench.”

After his explosive display against Australia, Crabtree can expect a fiery reception from the New Zealand forwards when he enters the field at the Galpharm Stadium but that is just how the big man likes it.

“I think I’m a marked man anyway,” he said. “It comes with the territory. It’s what I do and what I’m about and I wouldn’t expect anything less from them. It’s part of the game.”

The collision between Crabtree and Kiwis enforcer Fuifui Moimoi should be worth the admission money alone and the Huddersfield man is already one up on the Parramatta forward following their duel in the 2006 Federation Shield final.

“He played for Tonga and he was very tough then,” recalled Crabtree. “It was a very fiery game but luckily our skill showed and we came out with a good victory.”