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Sly Fox nails down final spot for steely England

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

England will contest the final of the Four Nations with Australia at Elland Road next Saturday after a victory over the Kiwis that did much to banish the bad taste from last year's World Cup. Two tries before half-time from the Hull KR winger Peter Fox, in his first game of the tournament, were crucial, but it took a mighty effort from the pack to beat the world champions in what was otherwise a forward-orientated match – and none the less compelling for that.

Smith puts faith in Bridge for tough Kiwi test

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

It is time for the unlikely lads to come to the aid of the party at Huddersfield this evening. If England are to beat New Zealand and progress into the final of the Four Nations next weekend, they need special performances from players who, at different stages, seemed unlikely to be involved in this sort of occasion.

Smith takes the axe to England's backs

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Tony Smith, the England coach, has sacked his entire right-side defence and brought in Chris Bridge and Peter Fox for tomorrow's must-win Four Nations game with New Zealand in Huddersfield.

Dave Hadfield: The future of Gateshead is a tough one

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:44:57 GMT

Saints fear Wolves raid for rising star Eastmond

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

St Helens are concerned that they might lose their latest international, Kyle Eastmond, to their neighbours, Warrington. Eastmond, who was outstanding coming off the bench to play at centre against Australia on Saturday, is looking for a big improvement on the terms of his current contract.

Steve Deane: English trudge back to drawing board

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:38:04 GMT

Woe is England. At least it was, and probably still is, despite their second-half fightback against the Kangaroos in Wigan yesterday.

Crabtree and Tomkins restore England's belief

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

England left it too late to have a chance of beating Australia in the Four Nations, but had time to rebuild the confidence that could set up a rematch.

England find Kangaroos are too clever by half

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

England, booed off at half-time, earned a standing ovation at the end of the 80 minutes after an improvement that gives them hope that they can beat Australia if they meet them again in the final of the Gillette Four Nations in two weeks' time. On their way to a demoralising thrashing, they played the last 40 minutes like a team who thought they could win.

Swine flu hits Goulding's France plans for Kiwi test

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:01 GMT

The France coach, Bobbie Goulding, has been given permission to delay naming his side for tonight's Four Nations match with New Zealand in Toulouse partly because of an outbreak of swine flu.

Ellis tells England to have no fear

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Gareth Ellis would like it to be known that, contrary to some reports of his whereabouts, he has not spent the last 12 months among a race of supermen. The England second-rower plays against Australia today for the first time since opting to ply his trade there rather than in Yorkshire.

Tomkins lives his dream with debut on home turf

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Sam Tomkins will fulfil the second half of a childhood dream when he plays for England against Australia at Wigan tomorrow. The 20-year-old Super League Young Player of the Year was named yesterday to start at scrum-half in his senior Test debut in the Four Nations match at his home ground.

Hindmarsh recalled by Aussies to face England in Four Nations

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Nathan Hindmarsh will make his Test comeback at the age of 30 in the Australian side to face England in the Four Nations on Saturday.

Dave Hadfield: The Australia-New Zealand match WAS a classic

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:45:09 GMT

Hayne promises no mistakes against England

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Australia's player of the year, Jarryd Hayne, believes that the danger of missing a major final for the first time since 1954 will galvanise him and his fellow countrymen this weekend.

Smith facing feverish calls for Tomkins

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Tony Smith will rise from his sick bed today to consider team changes for the Four Nations clash with Australia at Wigan on Saturday.

Classic fare at Stoop gives England food for thought

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:01 GMT

England recognise that they will have to improve dramatically if they are to close the gap between the northern and southern hemispheres that has already become apparent in the Four Nations.

Australia get out of jail with late try by Smith

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 23:00:01 GMT

A last-minute try by Cameron Smith salvaged a Four Nations draw for Australia in a dramatic sequel to their defeat in last year's World Cup final.

French pair in the dock for head shots

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 23:00:01 GMT

France are likely to pay a heavy price in the rest of the tournament for their much-improved performance in the opening game of the Four Nations. Bobbie Goulding's side lost 34-12 to England at Doncaster on Friday night, after leading 12-4 at half-time – a far cry from their 66-12 humiliation by the same opponents in Paris in June.

Myler double helps England break French resistance

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:15:17 GMT

England got their Four Nations campaign off to a winning start, but only after an almighty scare which was only banished by two quick tries from Richie Myler.

Lockyer hopes to mark caps milestone by avenging loss

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:00:01 GMT

Darren Lockyer will go into a category of his own as an Australian Test player when he leads the Kangaroos out at the Stoop tonight. Captaining his country against New Zealand in their opening game of the Gillette Four Nations will take Lockyer to 47 caps, one more than Mal Meninga, the legendary figure he grew up admiring.

England look for redemption

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:00:01 GMT

All four nations go into the biggest rugby league tournament in this country since the 2000 World Cup this weekend with plenty to prove.

Australia unveil new brigade for Four Nations

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:28:20 GMT

Brett Morris' brilliant 2009 season reached a stunning crescendo today with the St George Illawarra flyer one of three debutants named in the Australian side for this weekend's Four Nations rugby league clash against New Zealand.

Sailor pondering Dragons return

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:26:35 GMT

Wendell Sailor has given the biggest indication yet that he will be playing for St George Illawarra in the 2010 NRL season.

Briscoe rewarded but Tomkins misses the cut

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:00:01 GMT

The Hull winger, Tom Briscoe, has been drafted straight into the England side for the opening game of the Four Nations against France tomorrow, but there is no place for the Wigan sensation, Sam Tomkins.

Dave Hadfield: England spoilt for choice

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:00:24 GMT