JOE PARCS HIS HOLS FOR WANE

England v Combined Nations All Stars Men’s international, Warrington, Sat 5.45pm

ST HELENS’ Joe Batchelor was getting ready for a week’s holiday when a “shock” call came from England boss Shaun Wane.

The uncapped second-row could round off a remarkable rise if he debuts against the Combined Nations All Stars on Saturday.

It wasn’t long ago he was serving burgers at Frankie and Benny’s and getting a rugby lifeline from League One Coventry Bears.

Batchelor then excelled with parttimers York before a belated Super League debut with Saints at the ripe old age of 24.

A Double-winner last term, he’s now one of the competition’s top forwards – but it never dawned on him Wane (below) would be interested.

Batchelor conceded: “I’d a week away booked this week at Center Parcs in the Lakes! England wasn’t something I even thought about.

“I’d not been involved with the other squads and didn’t think it’d be something on Shaun Wane’s radar.

“I got the phone call Sunday when he invited me in and I was obviously shocked.

“Just then I didn’t really have my wits about me to even have a full conversation.

“I’m sure I will and I’ll be doing everything possible to do what he wants me to do. I’m over the moon.”

Girlfriend Beth has “abandoned” him to enjoy Centre Parcs but will be back for Saturday if he gets the nod.

Batchelor’s career is a remarkable rags-to-riches story, but the Yorkshireman insisted: “I’ve not reflected on it.

“When I finish I probably will and think how every junction I came to I could easily have taken the other option and not be involved at all.

“But I can’t dwell on that now. I have to live in the moment and strive further forward.”

Meanwhile, injured team-mate halfback Lewis Dodd has signed a new fouryear deal with Saints.

And Warrington have released forward Billy Magoulias on compassionate grounds – after just seven games – so he can return to Australia.