Jackson Hastings still keen to represent England

He’s been in inspired form in 2021, but Jackson Hastings is keen to take that presence into the World Cup at the end of the year.

Despite being a born-and-bred Australian, the current Wigan halfback is eligible to represent England through his Plymouth-born grandmother, and Hastings is eager to impress Shaun Wane and pull on the England shirt.

“I would love to; I’ll openly admit I’d love to be there but that’s obviously up to Shaun,” revealed Hastings.

“Obviously English-born players take priority. I’ve got nothing but respect for him and his approach, but my hand is certainly up.

“If I can find my way into the squad with good form I’d love to represent England at the World Cup but this not up to me, it’s up to the coach.”

Wane has often talked about wanting to be “very patriotic” with English-born players given priority, but the likes of Polish-born prop Mikolaj Oledzki and Eswatini-born Kruise Leeming were included in the squad named in early April. People have often described Hastings as one of the greatest playmakers in Super League, so Wane’s omission of the Wigan man in his 35-man squad came as a bit of a surprise.