Stefan Ratchford has been dropped by England for the first test against New Zealand this weekend.

The Warrington full-back has missed out on a place in Wayne Bennett’s 19-man squad to Sam Tomkins, who is back involved for the first time since 2014.

Tomkins, who will play for Catalan Dragons next season, aims to add to his 23 caps, the last of which he won against New Zealand four years ago.

Bennett has selected 11 of the 17 players that last played against the Kiwis in Denver in June, with Tom Johnstone also missing out.

Treece Lyne does not make the squad this time around, with Adam Milner and Joe Greenwood also not involved.

Oliver Gildart could make his debut after he was unavailable against France last month as he was taking part in the Grand Final.

Bennett’s men take on the Kiwis in a three-match series beginning at the KCOM Stadium in Hull on Saturday, with further games at Liverpool’s Anfield and Elland Road in Leeds.