Tony Smith, the England coach, will spring a surprise today when he announces his squad for the forthcoming World Cup by including Rob Purdham, the Harlequins captain, who mixed farming with a part-time playing career at Whitehaven before London Broncos signed him in 2002.

Purdham, 28, has forged a reputation as a formidably tough, fast and skilful back-row forward, whose versatility is such that he can play at centre, where Smith’s options are limited. His form in the second half of the season was outstanding and he will probably lead England against Wales in Doncaster on Friday, two years after he captained England to success against Tonga, France and Samoa in the Federation Shield.

Jamie Peacock, who will be confirmed as captain for the World Cup, is among the Leeds Rhinos and St Helens players who will form up to two thirds of the squad but are rested after Saturday’s engage Super League Grand Final. Adrian Morley, who captained Great Britain in Peacock’s absence against France last year, is recovering from a stomach muscle injury and will have gone seven weeks without a game before England’s opening match, against Papua New Guinea on October 25. “I could have played at a push, but it just gives me another two weeks for everything to be right for the Papua match,” he said.

Morley, who has been impressed by Purdham’s attitude in training, said: “The great thing about Rob is he can play a number of positions and is also a regular goalkicker. He’s as tough as they come. He’d be a great choice.”

Lee Smith, the Leeds wing, is another who will be named in the squad, for which he sealed selection with a man-of-the-match performance in Leeds’ 24-16 Grand Final triumph over St Helens, switching to full back, the position for which he will provide cover for Paul Wellens.

Smith’s selection represents an extraordinary turnaround in fortunes. Leeds had been prepared to offload him to Wigan Warriors in the middle of the season. Smith’s decision to stay and fight for his place at his home-town club was vindicated at Old Traf-ford and his World Cup call-up – Tony Smith is conversant with his abilities from his four years in charge at Leeds – completes a remarkable few months for the 22-year-old.

Ireland also announce their squad today, but Scotland, who lost Mark Calderwood, of Wigan, when he was called into England’s initial training squad, may suffer the loss of a second wing. Michael Robertson’s three tries in Manly’s 40-0 defeat of Melbourne Storm in the NRL Grand Final on Sunday could earn him a place in the Kangaroos’ squad.