SAM UP FOR WIG WHAM!

SAM TOMKINS will cap a fairytale rise with an England place against Australia in front of his adoring Wigan public.

The 20-year-old half-back has played only 10 first-grade games for the Warriors.

But he will be out to make his mark when he faces Kangaroos stars Johnathan Thurston and Darren Lockyer in tomorrow’s showdown at the DW Stadium.

The local hero’s inclusion should guarantee a full house for a game where victory would put England into the Gillette Four Nations final and virtually end Australia’s hopes.

Tomkins had some spectacular performances to guide Wigan to the play-offs and claim Super League’s Young Player award.

He replaces teenage scrum-half Richie Myler, with Huddersfield front-rower Eorl Crabtree taking club-mate Scott Moore’s place.

James Roby starts at hooker,while Jamie Peacock switches to the second row to accommodate prop James Graham.

Tomkins, who scored a hat-trick of tries on his international debut against Wales, said: “To be playing at Wigan makes it a bit more special.

“It will be weird to be facing Lockyer but I am looking forward to it.

“He is a player everyone wants to be like and hopefully he’ll swap shirts with me at the end.

“I’m nervous now so I’ll be definitely be nervous on Saturday, but it will be mixed with excitement.”

Coach Tony Smith said: “Having Sam in the side in front of his own fans is certainly going to help what is already going to be a great atmosphere.”

England: S Briscoe; T Briscoe, Smith, Shenton, Hall; McGuire, Tomkins; Morley, Roby, Graham, Ellis, Peacock (capt), Sinfield.Subs: Burgess, Crabtree, Eastmond, Westwood.

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