RugbyL: Australia-born McQueen in England squad for Samoa

LONDON: Brisbane-born forward Chris McQueen has been called up by England's Australian coach Wayne Bennett for the mid-season international against Samoa in Sydney on May 6, it was announced Monday.

The 29-year-old McQueen, currently with the Gold Coast Titans but set to join Wests Tigers for the 2018 season in Australia's NRL, was among a 20-man England squad named by Bennett.

McQueen, who has made six State of Origin appearances, qualifies through his England-born father.

His selection came just days after another former Queensland player, the Auckland-born Ben Te'o, was included in the British and Irish Lions rugby union squad for their upcoming tour of New Zealand.

McQueen previously turned down the opportunity to play for England at the 2013 World Cup.

He was one of three uncapped players named in a squad that will be captained by Wigan's Sean O'Loughlin, who missed the 2016 Four Nations tournament through injury.

McQueen was also one of eight players in the squad who are based with NRL clubs, including Sam Burgess and one of his brothers, Tom. But there was no place in the squad for George Burgess, Tom's twin brother, who has struggled this season and received a four-match ban for a shoulder charge at the weekend.

"This is a strong squad that I believe has the talent to do well," said Bennett, who has restricted his selection to a maximum of three players from any one Super League club in a bid to minimise disruption to the ongoing domestic campaign.

The Samoa match forms part of England's preparations for the Rugby League World Cup in Australia, New Zealand and Samoa, which runs from October to December this year.

Bennett added: "The game against Samoa will be tough -- they have some good players and plenty of spirit but this gives everyone in our squad the opportunity to show what they can do ahead of the World Cup."