O'Neill Recalled as England and PNG Ring Late Changes for Do-or-Die Wollongong Clash

England and Papua New Guinea have both made late changes to their squads ahead of Friday's crunch Rugby League World Cup clash in Wollongong, a game England must win handsomely to keep any hope of reaching the semi-finals alive. The headline move is the recall of Man of Steel Brad O'Neill, who had been dropped entirely from coach Brian McDermott's squad earlier in the week in the biggest talking point of the original selection. O'Neill now returns on the bench, while Hull KR hooker Jez Litten keeps the starting role. McDermott has also brought Wigan winger Zach Eckersley and veteran Leeds utility Kallum Watkins onto the bench. Watkins, a late call-up to replace the injured Morgan Smithies before England's opener against Tonga, could now make his first appearance of the tournament, while Eckersley returns after being dropped for last weekend's 82-0 win over France. Jack Welsby and Victor Radley drop out of the squad altogether, and Ben Currie moves to reserve, where he would only come in if injury strikes before kick-off. Papua New Guinea, coached by Jason Demetriou, have their own reshuffle. The Kumuls won their opener against Lebanon comfortably before being beaten 64-6 by Samoa in Port Moresby last weekend, and they will now be without London Broncos ace Morea Morea and Leigh Leopards star Edwin Ipape in Wollongong. Ipape's club and international team-mate Liam Horne will start at hooker instead, with Valentine Richard moving to loose forward. Former Warrington centre Rodrick Tai joins the bench, and London's Alex Max is the reserve.