Form will be rewarded, says Shaun Wane
England coach Shaun Wane insists he will pick his squad on merit for the Ashes series against Australia.
The former Wigan boss named his first 31-man England Performance Squad earlier this month.
England will host Australia in a three-match Ashes series this autumn, with games being played at Bolton, Leeds and Tottenham.
Wane said: “I’m not on social media but I think the reaction (to the squad) has been good.
“I’ve been through it, I’ve spoken to every club coach more or less and I’ve spoken to my international staff so I’m happy with it.
“The squad is going to be very different at the end of the season when we play the Ashes series because players will be in-form, out of form and there will be injuries so at this point, we have picked a rough squad and we’ll go with that.”
Warrington half-back pair Gareth Widdop and Blake Austin were not selected in the initial squad, and Wane has made it clear how they can get in to his side.
He added: “They’ve got to play well and be consistent.
“They are both really talented players but I didn’t select them with how I feel in my gut and on current form.
“They could be in there at the end of the year, I want to win the Ashes series and the best will play at the end of the year.”
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