Reach for the All Stars
WELSBY’S GOT TO THE TOP
ENGLAND v COMBINED NATIONS ALL STARS
Tonight, 5.45pm HALLIWELL JONES STADIUM
FOR Jack Welsby, it does not seem two minutes since he was interviewed by media students about playing for England Academy.
Yet now the St Helens ace is the star attraction and ready to make his full international bow.
When he steps out against the Combined Nations All Stars this evening, it will cap a magnificent ascension.
The Super League Young Player of the Year dons the No.6 jersey on his England debut and hopes to show he is worth a World Cup spot in the autumn.
Yet it’s barely three years since he caught the eye with England’s kids as a dazzling full-back, scoring twice as the Academy beat the revered Australian Schoolboys to claim the series at Headingley.
“I remember doing an interview before that game with some Leeds Beckett University students,” he said.
“I was talking about how I’d made one Super League appearance that year and how big a moment it was.
“To have kicked on three years down the line, lining up ready to start for England, is mad if I’m honest, but it’s something I’m really proud of. I’m looking forward to it.”
Welsby has already won two Super League Grand Finals and a Challenge Cup and has brilliantly played full-back, centre, stand-off and even loose forward for the champions.
It would be no surprise if he delivered a classy display against Ellery Hanley’s assembled crew of Aussies, Kiwis and Tongans.
Welsby, 21, believes playing alongside so many international stars has helped prepare him.
He said: “Whether it’s Jonny (Lomax) and Tommy (Makinson) or James Roby, it’s definitely aided me. And there’s the
Tongan lads like Konnie (Hurrell) and Will Hopoate.
“Everyone at the club’s pretty much had international experience, so to pick them apart this week has been good.”
Team-mates Matty Lees and Joe Batchelor also debut, while Huddersfield centre Jake Wardle, 23, is the fourth newcomer in Shaun Wane’s side.
England suffered a 2624 defeat against the All Stars 12 months ago and it is the hosts’ penultimate game before the World Cup kicks off in October.
Wane has controversially picked out-of-sorts Warrington scrum-half George Williams but he said: “George, on his day, is one of the best in the world.
“If it doesn’t work out, it’s on me as head coach.”
■ BRODIE CROFT is delighted that Salford teammate Kallum Watkins has another England chance but just wishes he did not have to face him.
Australian stand-off Croft plays for the Combined Nations All Stars in Warrington and Watkins, 31, lines up at centre five years after his last England appearance.
Croft said: “Kal’s a special player. I’m not looking forward to facing him.”