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Eastmond rewarded with call up?
Rising St Helens star Kyle Eastmond will today be handed some consolation for Saturday's Grand Final defeat when he is named in the England squad for the Gillette Four Nations series.
The 20-year-old utility back is thought to have clinched a place in coach Tony Smith's 24-man squad on the back of an impressive display for his club in their 18-10 defeat by Leeds.
Eastmond, whose electric running has drawn comparisons with former dual-code international winger Jason Robinson, was Saints' outstanding player and scored all their points with a try and three goals.
He made only three substitute appearances in the first half of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery in the close season but appeared in 14 of Saints' last 19 matches and has been tipped by Sean Long as his successor.
"St Helens are in good hands with Kyle," said Long.
"He's electric on his feet and he knows the script."
Oldham-born Eastmond has started matches at centre and both half-back positions - and that versatility, allied to his goal-kicking, will appeal to Smith.
It is thought there will also be a place for another of the game's promising youngsters, Wigan half-back Sam Tomkins, when Smith announces his squad.
Tomkins, 20, beat Eastmond and Salford's Warrington-bound scrum-half Richie Myler to the Super League young player-of-the-year award last week and was also named in the 2009 Dream Team after making a fairytale start to his career.
Tomkins is set to make his England debut in Saturday's friendly with Wales in Bridgend. But Eastmond, along with the rest of the Leeds and St Helens contingent, will be given a week off to recover from Saturday's gruelling Grand Final.
St Helens stand-off Leon Pryce could be a notable absentee from the Four Nations squad after producing a lack-lustre second half to the season, highlighted by his failure to spark his side at Old Trafford.
Smith went for youth for the mid-season international against France, and his decision to omit experienced centre Martin Gleeson from his train-on squad is another example of his 'changing-of-the-guard' policy.
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Weather for Halifax
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light sleet
Temperature: 0 C to 1 C
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