After confirmation of his place in Tony Smith's final squad for the forthcoming big end of season showpiece came through on Monday, the 23-year-old centre declared himself ready to pull on the England jersey as the hosts aim to overturn the odds and topple Australia, New Zealand and France to win the Four Nations title for the first time.

And Shenton, who has made his way through the ranks at The Jungle, having started at scholarship level with the club, is likely to get an instant chance to shine and put a marker down for a starting place, as he has also been named in the 20-man squad for the warm-up friendly against Wales at Bridgend on Saturday.

He said: "I'm delighted! It is a real honour to be selected. It means a lot to pull on the England jersey and I can't wait to get started!
"To play against Australia and New Zealand is what every young Rugby League player aspires to do. I know it certainly was my ambition growing up.

"It proves that if you put your mind to it and you really want to develop into an International player, you can make it if you stay at the Tigers.

"From Terry (Matterson) at the top, to the scholarship coaches, you've just got to listen and work hard on the little things they keep trying to teach you."

Shenton started the last England international, against France in June, and made his debut against Wales last October at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium.

He is now out to make a return to the Keepmoat, the venue for the first Four Nations opener against France on Friday, October 23.

Shenton has been joined in the England squad by another to learn his rugby in Castleford - Gareth Ellis, who started out with Lock Lane juniors before going on to play for Wakefield, Leeds and his current club, Wests Tigers in Australia.

The Tigers are set to support the RFL in staging a Four Nations promotion event at Xscape between noon and 3pm on Saturday, October 24. The 'Paws' cheerleading team and mascot duo JT & Mr Purrfect have been lined up to attend alongside representatives from the RFL.

Tickets for the 2009 Four Nations can be bought from www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk or by calling 0844 8561113. Castleford season ticket holders can see England against France for half price (£10) if they quote their season number when ordering from the RFL ticket office.

The full England squad is:

Chris Bridge (Warrington Wolves), Shaun Briscoe (Hull KR), Sam Burgess (Bradford Bulls), Garreth Carvell (Warrington Wolves), Eorl Crabtree (Huddersfield Giants), Kyle Eastmond (St Helens), Gareth Ellis (Wests Tigers), Peter Fox (Hull KR), James Graham (St Helens), Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos), Danny McGuire (Leeds Rhinos), Scott Moore (Huddersfield Giants), Adrian Morley (Warrington Wolves), Richard Myler (Salford City Reds), Sean O'Loughlin (Wigan Warriors), Jamie Peacock (Leeds Rhinos, captain), James Roby (St Helens), Michael Shenton (Castleford Tigers), Kevin Sinfield (Leeds Rhinos), Lee Smith (Leeds Rhinos), Paul Sykes (Bradford Bulls), Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors), Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves), Jon Wilkin (St Helens).

Shenton was among the players honoured at the Castleford Tigers Supporters Club player of the year awards night last Friday.
In recognition of his England selection, Shenton won the committee special achievement award (sponsored by George V WMC).
Player of the year (sponsored by The Powder Keg) was Rangi Chase; young player of the year (sponsored by Andrew Robinson) Joe Westerman; most improved player (sponsored by Peter Robinson) Kirk Dixon; committee player of the year (sponsored by Eric Wiley Audio & Visual) Mitchell Sargent; reserve grade player of the year (sponsored by Kamikaze Clothing) John Davies; and academy player of the year (sponsored by The Pop Inn Café) Ryan Brierley.

Michael Shenton will not be in direct opposition to Tigers teammate James Evans in Wales after the Castleford centre was not selected for Saturday's game.

Australian-born Evans has been included in the Welsh squad, however, for the forthcoming rugbyleague.com European Cup.