Eastmond's inclusion is no surprise on the evidence of his sparkling form after returning from injury to regular first team action towards the end of the 2009 campaign, and neither is the selection of utility forward Jon Wilkin, prop James Graham and hooker James Roby.

But a few eye-brows were raised when Smith snubbed the claims of their Saints' team-mates, full back Paul Wellens, stand-off Leon Pryce, and Ade Gardner – all seasoned internationals.

Eastmond said: "I've dreamed of this moment since I first picked up a rugby ball and it is a great tonic coming so soon after our Grand Final defeat."

Saints first spotted the talents of the Oldham-born youngster when he was playing amateur rugby league in his home town.
Eastmond recalled: "I played a game against St Helens and one of their coaches came over and asked me for my details.

"I was 11 or 12 at the time and it's gone from there."

He has come through to ranks at Saints and will be hoping to achieve as much in the game as the great Alex Murphy, to whom he has been likened due to his often off-the-cuff style of play.

Eastmond will be joining a squad in which boss Smith is giving the country's precocious youngsters a chance to prove their international pedigree – and that cannot be a bad policy.

Apart from Eastmond, another 20-year-old, Wigan's up-and-coming half back Sam Tomkins, is also hoping to make an impact at international level.

Tomkins is included in the 20-man squad from which the team will be selected to face Wales in a friendly at Bridgend on Saturday, but Smith has indicated that he will not be including any players from either Saints or Leeds Rhinos following their energy-sapping Grand Final last weekend. They will, however, come into contention for the opening match of the Four Nations tournament against France which will staged at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium towards the end of the month.
Defence