Peacock welcomes new faces

Jamie Peacock
12 April 2012

England captain Jamie Peacock has welcomed the cosmopolitan make-up of the national team and is excited by their prospects for the Four Nations Series.

Gareth Widdop (Melbourne) and Jack Reed (Brisbane) were both born in Yorkshire, while Chris Heighington (Wests Tigers), a team-mate of ex-Leeds forward Gareth Ellis, has an English father and Castleford's Rangi Chase qualifies on residency.

Peacock insists he is comfortable with the foreign accents, and said: "England is a cosmopolitan place so it ties in with that. These boys have given up some things to play for England and that's a huge commitment."

He added: "I'm looking forward to playing alongside them. We all know the rules are different now and the other nations do it, so why can't we?

"It's a really exciting squad. It's going to be a good team to play in. Get this right and there is a big chance of success."

In addition to bringing together different nationalities, England coach Steve McNamara has had to deal with tribal issues closer to home, with the verbal spat between St Helens forward Jon Wilkin and Leeds prop Ryan Bailey overshadowing his squad selection.

The Grand Final combatants broke the ice before going into camp and Leeds front rower Peacock is confident the bad blood will not spill over into the preparations for the Four Nations Series.

"We've had a clear-the-air meeting," he said. "It's time to put club colours behind you and put the red and white of England on.

"They have come together and spoken with each other.

"Rugby league is a confrontational sport. There are players in the squad who might not like me that much when I'm playing for Leeds and I could say the same about some of them. But, when I play for England they're my brothers and I want to play as well as I can for them and vice versa."

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