Westerman to lead Knights

Joe Westerman of Hull will captain the England Knights against France at Leigh tomorrow – the first fixture for the new second-string national side.

The Knights' coach, Kieron Purtill, has given the job to the 21-year-old back-row forward after an increasingly impressive first season at the KC Stadium.

Warrington's Ben Westwood steps down from the senior squad in order to get some match practice after his recent injury, but he remains part of England's plans for the full international in Avignon next Friday.

The Australian-born full-back, Dane Chisholm, of the Melbourne Storm, makes his debut for France against the Knights, in a selection otherwise dominated by Catalan Dragons players.

Australia's first-choice scrum-half, Johnathan Thurston, has declared himself fit for the game against New Zealand tomorrow – the warm-up match before both sides fly to Britain for the Four Nations.