League: Sheens confident rain's not a worry

Greg Inglis is back from an injury break. Photo / Getty Images

Australia coach Tim Sheens has dismissed claims that rain during tomorrow's Four Nations clash with England at Wembley will work against his side.

Despite some unseasonably good weather in the English capital this week, rain is forecast to fall over the weekend, and many of the locals believe this could favour Steve McNamara's powerful forward pack.

However, Sheens, who's been forced to leave prop David Shillington out of his side because of an ankle injury, is confident his side's strong kicking game will ensure they have the upper hand.

"The grounds today ensure you don't get those dour slugfests anymore," Sheens said after announcing his team at the Hard Rock Cafe in London yesterday.

"Wet grounds with a surface like Wembley means it's just slippery. That means your kicking game becomes more important.

"Lockyer, Smith and Thurston all have very strong kicking games and in wet weather that is what you want.

"I'd argue that we've got the best kicking game in the competition so it won't worry us."

Sheens has selected a 19-man squad with Robbie Farah being added for the first time in the tournament.

Greg Inglis returns to action after a two-month injury layoff and replaces Willie Tonga in the centre, with Beau Scott likely to replace Shillington on the bench.

McNamara has named the same starting side that beat Wales last Saturday but has chosen an extra forward on an extended interchange bench in experienced front-rower Garreth Carvell, who's tipped to play.

Sheens said he'd not decided on the make up of his bench, but hinted he might exclude both Cooper Cronk and Farah, leaving Cameron Smith to play for 80 minutes.

England v Australia

Wembley, 4am tomorrow

Sam Tomkins
Ryan Hall
Jack Reed
Kirk Yeaman
Tom Briscoe
Kevin Sinfield
Rangi Chase
James Graham
James Roby
Jamie Peacock (c)
Gareth Ellis
Ben Westwood
Chris Heighington

Interchange: Gareth Widdop, Adrian Morley, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Jon Wilkin, Danny McGuire, Garreth Carvell.

Billy Slater
Akuila Uate
Greg Inglis
Chris Lawrence
Darius Boyd
Darren Lockyer (c)
J Thurston
Paul Gallen
Cameron Smith
Matt Scott
Luke Lewis
Sam Thaiday
A Watmough.

Interchange: Cooper Cronk, Keith Galloway, Robbie Farah, Tony Williams, Beau Scott, Corey Parker.

- AAP