Sam Tomkins: It is nice to be back in England squad

Wigan star Sam Tomkins says he is made up to be back in the England set up.

The 29-year-old has been in fine form for the Warriors in Super League this season and has now been named in Wayne Bennett’s 25-man England Elite Performance Squad.

Tomkins has not featured for the Lions since the 2014 Four Nations but is delighted to be back in the international fold.

He said: “I’ve had a couple of years with injuries, so it’s nice to be back.

“It’s something that I’ve always thought, ‘if it happens, it happens’ and as there’s no England trials, there’s no other way of getting in than being in consistent form at club level, and I’ve been trying to build that consistency and play well in both positions, half-back and full-back.

“I still have a fair bit of improvement left in me but I’m happy with my form, so I’m delighted that it’s been recognised.

“I was always confident that I could work my way back in to the group. I’ve been lucky enough to have played 25 international games and I know all that has come from my club form, so my goal has always been to play as well as I can for Wigan Rugby League Club, play as well as I can in the system or position I’m asked to play in for this club and if get the call-up on the back of that then so be it.”

Tomkins will aim to continuing impressing the England coaching staff ahead of their warm-up game against France and three-match Test series against New Zealand this autumn.