Beware England's dangerous trio

Wigan's star young fullback Sam Tomkins and Australian-based players Sam Burgess and Gareth Ellis have been identified as Engand's danger men for the Four Nations starting next week. <br><br> Ex-pat Michael Monaghan, who has just completed his third European Super League season with Warrington, said these three players would be the keys to success for England, whose strength is "undoubtedly their forward pack". <br><br> "Burgess is big, strong and powerful as well as being one of the best offloaders in the game," Monaghan said. <br><br> "He had an immediate impact in the NRL with South Sydney and will be looking to continue that at the international level. <br><br> "Gareth Ellis provides a big threat on the edge with his strong running and his ability to hit holes of his ball players. He is also key to nullifying the opposition's danger men. <br><br> "Ellis will make life difficult for the likes of (Cooper) Cronk, (Darren) Lockyer and (Benji) Marshall by charging into them at every opportunity and getting their tackle counts up. In defense he will harass them and cut down their time to think and play, a tactic effectively used by Tim Sheens with Ellis in this year's finals series. <br><br> "The third player to watch is Sam Tomkins. This guy is the x-factor for England. A very dangerous ball runner with great speed and agility, Tomkins was the influential force behind Wigan's run to this year's Super League title and will be the man most likely to provide creativity for the English and panic for the opposition. <br><br> "Tomkins can play fullback of five-eight and with so many inexperienced outside backs around him will be the go-to man out wide to put points on the board." <br><br> England will have a hit-out against the NZ Maoris this Saturday (Oct 16) at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, before their Four Nations campaign begins the following Saturday (Oct 23) against the NZ Kiwis at Westpac Stadium, Wellington. <br><br> They will play Australia on October 31 at Aami Park, Melbourne and PNG at Eden Park, Auckland on November 6. The Final will be played at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, on November 13. <br><br> Tickets for the Four Nations games in New Zealand and Australia are on sale now. <b><a href="http//:www.nzrl.co.nz" target="_blank">Click here</a></b> for more information. <br><br> For more information on the 2010 Four Nations go to <b><a href="http://www.rlfournations.com" target="_blank">www.rlfournations.com</a></b> and join us on <b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/fournations" target="_blank">Facebook</a></b>.