Hull KR winger Peter Fox was handed a dream 25th birthday present in the shape of a recall to the England team for Saturday's crucial Gillette Four Nations clash with New Zealand.

The return of Fox, in place of teenager Tom Briscoe, is one of three changes to the side that lost 26-16 to Australia as England look to clinch a place in the final.

Coach Tony Smith, who dropped Scott Moore and Richie Myler after the opening game, once more demonstrated a ruthless streak by axing stand-off Danny McGuire and centre Lee Smith and adopted a bold strategy with the selection of Warrington's Chris Bridge, who was the original shock inclusion in his 24-man squad.

Fox was a surprise omission from the team that opened the tournament with a 34-12 win over France but could not hide his delight over his recall.

"It's one of the best birthday presents I could ever have had," he said. "I've now got to rise to the occasion on Saturday.

"Obviously I was disappointed to be left out against France but I had to react in a positive way and I did. That's why I've got the shout now."

Fox was also unlucky to miss out on a trip to the World Cup after making an impressive England debut against France in the summer of 2008 and Smith has been impressed by the player's attitude in the face of adversity.

"His reaction probably made the difference," he said. "If he didn't handle things the right way and didn't see the big picture, he probably wouldn't still be with us.

"Peter has been patient and he's as keen as any player in the squad."

Smith has shaken up the right-sided defence that was cut apart by Australian centre Greg Inglis in the first half at Wigan and McGuire also pays the price for a below-par performance.

"There have been some tough decisions to leave players out," said Smith. "But at the same time it's nice to give some people some opportunities.

"It shows they've got to take their opportunities while they are there because there are some quality people behind them."

McGuire's place goes to 20-year-old utility player Kyle Eastmond, who starts an England game for the first time, while his St Helens team-mate Jon Wilkin is recalled for his first match since the World Cup.

"I'd like to see more involvement from Kyle," said Smith.

"What he's shown so far has been exciting and we probably need to get him a little bit closer to the action."

The call-up of Bridge means that England will have used all but two of their 24-man squad by the end of the group games. Gareth Carvell and Paul Sykes are the only players yet to get a game.

The most eye-catching change is the selection of Bridge, who was a late addition to the England train-on squad after switching his allegiance from Ireland.

Smith, who is Bridge's club coach, revealed that it was only through a chance conversation at the end of the team's Super League campaign that alerted him to the player's availability.

"I was going through my post-season reviews and asking the players what they were going to do in the off season," explained Smith.

"Chris said he wasn't going to play for Ireland and when he said that I asked him if he had considered playing for England. He said that's what he's aiming for.

"Once we looked into qualifications it was easy. He's played for England all the way through the juniors and only played for Ireland to help them out and to aid his own development."

Bridge said: "As soon as Ireland didn't get in the Four Nations, it was an easy decision to make.

"I changed my allegiance because I wanted to play against the best players in the world and now I get the chance to do that."

Bridge, who joined Warrington from Bradford as a utility player, was at centre in their Challenge Cup final triumph and Smith is looking to him to shore up the right side of England's defence.

"He's pretty determined to help us rectify those areas on the right side," he said.

"He's been a specialist right centre at the back end of the year.

"He's a big physical young man who has got some great attacking abilities and he's getting better in his defensive decision-making. That's an area that he's improved dramatically."

England team: S Briscoe (Hull KR); Fox (Hull KR), Bridge (Warrington), Shenton (Castleford), Hall (Leeds); Tomkins (Wigan), Eastmond (St Helens); Morley (Warrington), Roby (St Helens), Graham (St Helens), Peacock (Leeds, captain), Ellis (West Tigers), Sinfield (Leeds).

Subs: Burgess (Bradford), Crabtree (Huddersfield), Westwood (Warrington), Wilkin (St Helens).