Rhinos star Watkins called up for England squad

Leeds Rhinos vice captain Kallum Watkins has been called up to the England squad ahead of the start of the Rugby League World Cup in Australia this weekend. 

Watkins, who made 28 appearances for the Rhinos this season, could now feature in his fourth World Cup having played in the 2013, 2017 and 2022 tournaments. He featured in two of the three Ashes games last Autumn against Australia and has 31 caps for his country, having made his England debut back in 2012. He has previously made 14 appearances at the World Cup and he could surpass Chris Hill, the leading all time England player at World Cups on 16, and Australia's Cameron Smith, who holds the record for World Cup appearances with 17.

Experienced Watkins is set to depart for Australia to take the place of Perth Bears-bound Morgan Smithies who has been ruled out via injury. 

Watkins, 35, started out his glittering career as a centre but has transitioned to the pack in recent years.  Equally adept at second-row or loose forward, he played under McDermott at club level during his first stint as a player at Headingley. 

McDermott said: "It's really unfortunate what has happened to Morgan with an injury picked up in training.

“Morgan has been great since we entered camp. He’s a real team player and his work ethic and toughness are qualities that we will certainly miss.

“Kallum enjoyed a terrific season with Leeds this year and has been part of our England Performance Programme building into this World Cup.  I look forward to welcoming him into camp as we step up our preparations." 

Watkins will arrive in Perth ahead of the weekend but is not set to feature in Saturday's opener against Tonga. 

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