Chase added to train-on squad

Castleford stand-off Rangi Chase, a former Junior Kiwi, is a shock addition to England's train-on squad after switching his allegiance.

The 25-year-old Chase, who is on a three-man short-list for the 2011 Super League Man of Steel after an outstanding year with the Tigers, played against England for the New Zealand Maoris in Auckland on the eve of last year's Four Nations Series.

But he qualifies for England under the residency ruling, having been with Castleford for the last three seasons, and is now set to line up against the country of his birth in the 2011 Gillette Four Nations.

"I have thought long and hard about the opportunity of playing for England after I became eligible to play," said Chase, who last week signed a new contract that will keep him at Castleford to the end of 2015.

"I approached Steve McNamara and explained that I wanted to play for England and, more importantly, show my commitment.

"England, and in particular Castleford, is my home now and I want to lay my long-term roots here. I have an English girlfriend and signing a new contract with Castleford last week was a big deal for me. I don't want to play anywhere else.

"I have resurrected my life in England and feel more at ease here than anywhere else in the world. I spend all my time at home and don't go back to New Zealand in the off-season.

"Getting selected for England will be my greatest honour. You can feel there is something special being built and I want to do everything I can to help England achieve international success."

Chase will join up with the train-on squad this week as preparations continue for England's game against France in Avignon on Friday, October 21 and their opening Four Nations game against Wales a week later.

Meanwhile, Huddersfield prop forward Eorl Crabtree has withdrawn from the squad in order to have shoulder surgery, while club-mates Dale Ferguson (shoulder), Michael Lawrence (wrist), Jermaine McGilvary (ankle) and Larne Patrick (shoulder) have all pulled out of the England Knights squad through injury.