Forward hopes St Helens displays will help him make his way back into England reckoning

Joe Batchelor hopes his performances for champions St Helens can help catapult him back into Shaun Wane’s plans for England’s end of year test series.

Batchelor missed England’s mid-season test against France in April having just returned from a syndesmosis injury that saw him also miss out on Saints’ historic World Club Challenge win.

As a result, the 28-year-old hasn’t been involved with England since last year’s World Cup, but he is keen to make his way back into Wane’s thoughts for this autumn’s test series against Tonga.

“He gave me a phone call to say I wasn’t going to be in the squad,” Batchelor said.

“I’d obviously not played before that point so I’ve got to play well and put myself in his thinking if that’s what he wants to go with, then that’s what he wants to go with.

“But I want to play well for St Helens and be in his mind come the end of the season.”

Joe Batchelor feeling back to his best after Magic display

Batchelor has played six games since returning from his lengthy injury, and feels his best came at Magic Weekend last Sunday as they demolished Huddersfield 48-6 at St James’ Park.

He said: “It was a frustrating start to the season and then when I came back in, I needed a couple of games to get my fitness back as well but I thought the weekend just gone is the best I’ve felt so far this season so hopefully I can kick on with the team for the rest of the season.

“It was tough (being injured), especially watching the team, I obviously want to be out there helping them the best I can and then having to be away from the group on a day-to-day basis and feeling a bit helpless was a frustrating one and hopefully I don’t have to experience it too often.”

St Helens aim to avenge Good Friday derby defeat

The Super League champions host neighbours Wigan at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Friday night, 8pm kick-off.

Saints will want to avenge their 14-6 defeat at Wigan on Good Friday, and Batchelor wants to repay the St Helens faithful. It’s one of the biggest games in the sport, and just as with NFL betting across the pond, there’ll be fans on both sides of the divide with plenty at stake.

He said: “It stung a lot that we were on the wrong end of that result.

“We took so many fans over there and they supported us brilliantly so we definitely owe them one this week back on our own turf. I think the tickets are selling well, there’s not too many left.

“Good Friday last year was a sell-out so hopefully we can match that and come 8pm on Friday it’ll be a really exciting place to be.”

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