JACK WELSBY will captain England again in the second Test against Tonga this Saturday, after impressing Shaun Wane in the role.
The St Helens fullback was a surprise choice to replace the suspended George Williams for the first Test, becoming England’s youngest ever captain aged just 22.
But he produced a strong performance on home turf at the Totally Wicked Stadium, as England edged ahead in the series with a hard-fought 22-18 win on Sunday.
And Welsby delighted coach Wane with his all-round approach to the role, thrust upon him when Williams failed to overturn a two-match ban.
Wane said: “He nailed it. He nailed the captain’s speech after the game. He’s going to be a future (permanent) captain, no doubt.
“He’s really skilful. He’s not been coached, he’s just a throwback to the 80s, playing like he was at school.
“I loved coaching him in the World Cup last year and having him again has been so enjoyable.”
Wane also praised Williams for helping to prepare young halfback pair Mikey Lewis and Harry Smith to take on the Tongans.
“It’s a good learning curve for George. It’s sad what’s happened to him, but we must make the best of it. Jack helping Mikey and Harry has been great to see.”
England were also missing Dom Young for the first Test, after he was hospitalised with an infection.
Wane said afterwards that it was now unlikely the winger would be able to play in the second Test (this Saturday, October 28, in Huddersfield) or the third (Saturday, November 4, at Headingley).
“We’ll check early next week, but it’s looking doubtful,” he said of the prospect of Young featuring in the series.
Meanwhile, Tonga will monitor Tyson Frizell after the former Kangaroo came off in the second half of his Tonga debut with an ankle injury.
“The physios are positive (he’ll be okay), but the fact he had to come off says he has a problem there,” said Tonga head coach Kristian Woolf.
