Thursday, October 1, 2009

Irish pair make switch to England

Ben Harrison and Chris Bridge
Harrison and Bridge have previously played for Ireland

Warrington Wolves duo Ben Harrison and Chris Bridge have switched their allegiance from Ireland after being called into England's training squad.

Harrison, a 21-year-old loose forward, and centre or stand-off Bridge, 25, have represented Ireland in the past.

Both have been given permission by the International Federation to switch their allegiance to England.

"They have both put their hands up for England and it's good to have them along," said coach Tony Smith.

Smith, also coaches both players at club level at Warrington, who also have Adrian Morley, Garreth Carvell, Ben Westwood and Mickey Higham in the train-on squad.

"Chris and Ben have always had the ambition to play for England and at the end of the season they came to me and spoke of their desire to play for England," said Smith.

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"For now they have been called up into the train-on squad - whether they go on to play for England remains to be seen."

Smith added: "They have both had pretty good years. Ben has had a lot of recognition for his effort, he's maturing and is keen to make the next step up into representative rugby league and I'm happy to help him with that.

"Chris had a really solid year, he was consistent and didn't have many injuries. He put a lot of pressure on opposition teams. He's a dangerous player who will create a lot of opportunities."

Ireland coach Andy Kelly said he was disappointed to lose two players of the calibre of Bridge and Harrison from his squad that is preparing for the end-of-season European Cup.

There are now 20 players in the England squad for the international against Wales on 17 October and the Four Nations series involving France, Australia and New Zealand in October and November.

More players will be added throughout the Super League play-offs before the final 24-man squad is named on Monday 12 October, two days after the Grand Final at Old Trafford.

Train-on squad (30 September): Sam Burgess, Paul Sykes (both Bradford), Michael Shenton (Castleford), Tom Briscoe, Danny Tickle (both Hull), Scott Moore, Eorl Crabtree (both Huddersfield), Shaun Briscoe, Peter Fox (both Hull KR), Ben Harrison, Chris Bridge, Mickey Higham, Garreth Carvell, Adrian Morley, Ben Westwood (all Warrington), Tony Clubb, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook (both Harlequins), Stefan Ratchford, Richie Myler (both Salford), Gareth Ellis (Wests Tigers).

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