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England half-back Richie Myler has been replaced by Sam Tomkins.

Photo: Getty Images

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Source: ABC News

England has made two personnel changes for its Four Nations international against Australia in Wigan, with Sam Tomkins and Eorl Crabtree coming into the team.

Australia-born England coach Tony Smith has brought in Wigan half-back Tomkins, Super League's young player of the year, in place of teenager Richie Myler while front rower Crabtree takes over from Scott Moore, his Huddersfield team-mate.

Smith has also made a pair of positional changes from the side that beat France 34-12 last week. James Roby starts at hooker in place of Moore with England captain Jamie Peacock moving into the second row.

That allows England to field prop James Graham in its starting line-up with Sam Burgess dropping on to the bench.

Myler was concussed in the closing stages of the France game but Smith said Tomkins would have likely been in his side for this weekend's match.

"Richie has still got a bit of a head knock but Sam was going to get a chance this week," Smith said after announcing his side at the team's Manchester hotel.

"It gives us a chance to compare the two and decide which way we go for the final week. I've got a lot of faith in both those young men but it's Sam's go this week."

Victory for England this weekend will book its place in the final while a defeat for Australia, who drew 20-20 with world champions New Zealand, would leave the Kangaroos' hopes of lifting the trophy hanging by a thread.

However, Australia thrashed England 52-4 during last year's World Cup.

"They will have been disappointed with their performance in the World Cup," Australia hooker Cameron Smith said of England.

"I think it will be a lot different, given they are playing on their home territory and in front of what I think will be a very vocal crowd in Wigan."

Australia coach Tim Sheens has recalled back row Nathan Hindmarsh, while fellow forwards Robbie Farah, David Shillington and Luke Lewis are poised for their debuts.

Forwards Ryan Hoffman and Sam Thaiday have been dropped following the draw with the Kiwis while Trent Waterhouse and Kurt Gidley are on a provisional six-man interchange bench but could yet miss out.England:

Shaun Briscoe (Hull KR); Tom Briscoe (Hull), Lee Smith (Leeds), Michael Shenton (Castleford), Ryan Hall (Leeds); Danny McGuire (Leeds), Sam Tomkins (Wigan); Adrian Morley (Warrington), James Roby (St Helens), James Graham (St Helens), Gareth Ellis (Wests Tigers/AUS), Jamie Peacock (Leeds, capt), Kevin Sinfield (Leeds)

Interchange: Sam Burgess (Bradford), Eorl Crabtree (Huddersfield), Kyle Eastmond (St Helens), Ben Westwood (Warrington)Australia:

Billy Slater (Melbourne); Brett Morris (St George Illawarra), Greg Inglis (Melbourne), Justin Hodges (Brisbane), Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta); Darren Lockyer (Brisbane, capt), Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland); Ben Hannant (Canterbury), Cameron Smith (Melbourne), Petero Civoniceva (Penrith), Anthony Watmough (Manly), Paul Gallen (Cronulla), Nathan Hindmarsh (Parramatta)

Interchange (from): Brett White (Melbourne), David Shillington (Canberra), Luke Lewis (Penrith), Robbie Farah (Wests Tigers), Kurt Gidley (Newcastle), Trent Waterhouse (Penrith)

Referee: Steve Ganson (ENG)

- AFP