Walmsley's out to make most of recall

SAINTS VETERAN LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING PART OF ENGLAND'S BID FOR ASHES GLORY

- By MARK STANIFORTH

ALEX WALMSLEY is determined to make the most of his unlikely England recall and play a part in an historic Ashes series win over Australia, starting at Wembley on Saturday.

Having not played international rugby since 2021, the 35-year-old St Helens forward thought his chance had gone before a surprise chat with England head coach Shaun Wane led to his inclusion in the squad for the eagerly-awaited three-match series.

Walmsley made the cut for Wane's final squad of 19 on Thursday, with the head coach having made another big call in axing Wigan halfback Harry Smith - who has started every England match since the 2022 World Cup - in favour of Hull KR’s hero of the moment, Mikey Lewis.