When England head coach Shaun Wane named his first training squad for 2022, there were a few eyebrows raised when one star wasn’t included.
That star is Jake Connor who, despite missing two Super League games through suspension this season, came back with a bang to register six assists and a try in Hull FC’s victory over Salford Red Devils at the weekend.
“I’ve spoken to Jake with great honesty and detail on what I want to see,” Wane said.
“If I see that, he’ll come into the England team.
“He’s a great talent, no doubt about that, but I want to see certain things.
“I’ve been very honest with Jake and told him clearly what I want.”
“I can see him possibly playing against the All Stars in June if he does what I need him to do.
“He was great last week (against Salford), no question about that, but I want him to be great every week.
“I want him to be great against St Helens, when he’s really under the pump, and he’s got the capabilities to do that.”
The England boss also spoke honestly about stars getting back into his side.
“The door’s never shut,” said Wane. “I need to see that consistent desire to win, that consistent skill level, those things that make you look like an England player.
“I will make changes throughout the year, it will be fluid so the players in the 30-man squad should not feel comfortable.
“As easy as you can come in the squad, you can come out of out.It’s about having high standards throughout the year.
“They need to play very, very well for their club teams. I watched all the individual England players play yesterday and if they are consistently good, they have a chance of being in.
“That’s what Jack Welsby has done, that’s what Lewis Dodd has done in their games so far.
“It’s very hard to get into my squad and my team.But the players know where they stand and what they need to do.”
