England coach Tony Smith has defended his decision to axe more than half his World Cup squad for the Gillette Four Nations series.

Smith's 24-man squad, named today for the inaugural quadrangular tournament, includes just 11 survivors from England's dismal campaign Down Under and Leeds stand-off Danny McGuire is the only back to keep his place from the side that lost to New Zealand in the semi-finals.

Leon Pryce, Ade Gardner and Paul Wellens are the big-name omissions from St Helens and there are no places for the Leeds trio of Rob Burrow, Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Keith Senior.

There are just nine players from the two Grand Finalists, compared to 15 out of 24 in the World Cup as Smith opts for a youthful line-up drawn from 11 different clubs.

St Helens' exciting utility back Kyle Eastmond and Wigan's Super League young player of the year Sam Tomkins, both 20, are the new faces, alongside Warrington centre Chris Bridge, who is the surprise inclusion.

No fewer than 14 of the 17 players who were on duty for the mid-season international against France have been retained, including Salford's teenage scrum-half Richie Myler.

"I think it's time to put some fresh faces in," explained Smith, who told a news conference in Manchester that he has one eye on the next World Cup in 2013.

"We've got some young people coming through and they deserve a chance.

"There is only one way to gain experience and that's by picking them. They have had tremendous years and deserve to be there.

"We picked a lot of fresh faces for the mid-year game and it gave us a fresh feel and they responded well.

"This series is about now but it's also about the future and we want to build for the future. We feel that they're ready now."

Leeds skipper Kevin Sinfield is recalled following his man-of-the-match display in Saturday's Grand Final at Old Trafford, where Eastmond enhanced his burgeoning reputation with a superb performance in defeat for Saints.

Eastmond is being tipped to fill the scrum-half boots of Sean Long at Knowsley Road but has also impressed the national coach in his outings at stand-off and centre.

"He has shown his versatility already," said Smith.

"He is able to cover numerous positions and make a fist of each of them. He's a tremendous young player and a very exciting player who will add a lot of depth to our squad. He has had a big impact on Saints this year and I'm sure he'll have a big impact for England in this tournament as well."

Smith said injuries did not have a major effect on selection issues but the loss of Wakefield centre Ryan Atkins clearly paved the way for the recall of Leeds threequarter Lee Smith, who is switching codes with Wasps at the end of the Four Nations.

"He's contracted with rugby league until the end of November and made himself available so I'm more than happy to include him," said the coach.

"He adds a lot of versatility and depth to our outside backs. I was delighted when he made himself available because his form has been terrific."

Smith also has the option of playing Bridge at centre after ruling out a recall for Senior, who had hinted at coming out of retirement to play for his country.

"Chris is one of the young guys that has been around for a while knocking on the door but hasn't quite knocked it down yet," said Smith.

"He has had a pretty solid year for his club and he's in a position that we're not particularly flush with players. He's very good with the ball and he's a big, strong young man and a dangerous player."

Castleford's Michael Shenton looks set for the other centre spot but another candidate is Bradford's Paul Sykes, who has forced his way back into the reckoning despite a difficult World Cup.Hull KR's Shaun Briscoe, the only specialist full-back in the squad, will sit out the warm-up match against Wales in Bridgend on Saturday to enable him to fully recover from the shoulder injury he sustained in the play-offs.

Huddersfield prop Eorl Crabtree will also miss that match and probably England's Four Nations opener against France on October 23 after undergoing keyhole knee surgery but is expected to be available for the game against Australia on October 31.

Thirteen members of the squad will play for England on Saturday, with the Leeds and St Helens contingent being given a week off to recover from a gruelling Grand Final.

Warrington skipper Adrian Morley will lead the side in the absence of Jamie Peacock and former Leeds second rower Gareth Ellis, now with Wests Tigers, will be among the players given the chance to gain match fitness.

In addition to Bridge, who has previously represented Ireland, Hull winger Tom Briscoe, Salford utility back Stefan Ratchford and Warrington loose forward Liam Harrison are hoping to make their England debuts in that match.