Kyle Eastmond is hoping for the opportunity to display his full range of talents in England's Gillette Four Nations opener against France on Friday. England coach Tony Smith has named the uncapped Saints youngster on the bench for the match at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium. 

Eastmond's versatility, he can play in every position in the back line, earned him selection ahead of Wigan's Sam Tomkins, who has been left out of the match-day squad despite scoring a hat-trick on debut in England's warm-up win over Wales.

"My versatility is what has probably got me in there," admitted Eastmond. "I'm not sure where Tony is going to pick me and I'm not bothered to tell the truth.

Ambition

"I've been dreaming about this since I was a kid and, now it's come around, hopefully I can do a good job. "Eastmond enters the match on the back of a superb season in the engage Super League for St Helens.

The 20-year-old made an outstanding contribution in a losing cause against Leeds Rhinos in the Grand Final.

Like the rest of the Grand Finalists in England's squad, he was rested for the Wales victory and, after a bout of illness, playing in the Four Nations was the last thing on his mind.

"I wasn't expecting it at all," he added. "I was ill for a few days and only trained once with the lads."