Dominic Young injury, England squad for first Test against Tonga, George Williams, Jack Welsby captain

Young hospitalised as England name team for first Test

Author: Steve Mascord NRL Reporter
Timestamp: Sat 21 Oct 2023, 07:32 AM

England's NRL superstar winger Dom Young has been hospitalised with an infection and will be closely monitored before the second Test against Tonga after being ruled out of the first.

Young was the glaring omission as both teams named 19-man squads for Sunday’s historic opening Test at Totally Wicked Stadium, with 22-year-old fullback Jack Welsby to captain his country on his home ground and Mate Ma’a Tonga delaying nominating a skipper.

“He’s in hospital with an illness (and) will be assessed next week,” coach Shaun Wane told NRL.com when asked about Young and whether he would be available for the return encounter at John Smiths Stadium next Saturday.

Team doctor Chris Brookes said Sydney Roosters-bound Young had had an infection drained. It’s understood the scorer of 25 tries for Newcastle this year was feeling unwell last weekend and was late into camp as a result.

Wane named 19 players in alphabetical order with Tom Johnstone and Tommy Makinson the wingers. His NRL players are Sydney Roosters’ Victor Radley, Wests Tigers’ John Bateman and Canberra’s Elliott Whitehead.

NRL try time: Dom Young

There are just three survivors from England’s last international, a 64-0 pasting of France in April: fullback Welsby, halfback Harry Smith and hooker Danny Walker.

Welsby said of the captaincy, awarded following the unavailability through suspension of George Williams: “Humbled is the word. When Waney came up and told me this morning I was shocked and surprised with some of the senior blokes we’ve got in that dressing room.”

Round 2 - Round 2 - Sunday 22 Oct

Full Time

England

Mate Ma'a Tonga

Venue: Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helen's

Highlights Latest

Tonga’s Kristian Woolf named a chronological 19 with Konrad Hurrell and Eliesa Katoa in the emergency reserves jerseys. The omission of 32-year-old Daniel Tupou, with 18 Tonga caps, could be interpreted as a changing of the guard.

Aside from the Sydney Roosters stalwart, also gone from the side beaten 20-18 by Samoa in the World Cup quarter-final are winger Sione Katoa, lock Jason Taumalolo and interchange players Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Soni Luke, David Fifita and Ben Murdoch-Masila.

Round 2 - Round 2 - Sunday 22 Oct

Full Time

England

Mate Ma'a Tonga

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for England is number 1 Jack Welsby

Fullback for Mate Ma'a Tonga is number 1 Will Hopoate
Winger for England is number 2 Tommy Makinson

Winger for Mate Ma'a Tonga is number 2 Starford To'a
Centre for England is number 3 Harry Newman

Centre for Mate Ma'a Tonga is number 3 Will Penisini
Centre for England is number 4 Toby King

Centre for Mate Ma'a Tonga is number 4 Mosese Suli
Winger for England is number 5 Tom Johnstone

Winger for Mate Ma'a Tonga is number 5 Tolutau Koula
Five-Eighth for England is number 6 Mikey Lewis

Five-Eighth for Mate Ma'a Tonga is number 6 Tuimoala Lolohea
Halfback for England is number 7 Harry Smith

Halfback for Mate Ma'a Tonga is number 7 Isaiya Katoa

Forwards

Prop for England is number 8 Thomas Burgess

Prop for Mate Ma'a Tonga is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for England is number 9 Daryl Clark

Hooker for Mate Ma'a Tonga is number 9 Siliva Havili
Prop for England is number 10 Matty Lees

Prop for Mate Ma'a Tonga is number 10 Moeaki Fotuaika
2nd Row for England is number 11 John Bateman

2nd Row for Mate Ma'a Tonga is number 11 Tyson Frizell
2nd Row for England is number 12 Elliott Whitehead

2nd Row for Mate Ma'a Tonga is number 12 Keaon Koloamatangi
Lock for England is number 13 Victor Radley

Lock for Mate Ma'a Tonga is number 13 Felise Kaufusi

Interchange

Interchange for England is number 14 Danny Walker

Interchange for Mate Ma'a Tonga is number 14 Dion Teaupa
Interchange for England is number 15 Morgan Knowles

Interchange for Mate Ma'a Tonga is number 15 Tevita Tatola
Interchange for England is number 16 Chris Hill

Interchange for Mate Ma'a Tonga is number 16 Haumole Olakau'atu
Interchange for England is number 17 Mike McMeeken

Interchange for Mate Ma'a Tonga is number 17 Hame Sele