England could tempt Senior

Senior may be coaxed out of retirement

By Rachel Griffiths   Last updated: 16th October 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

England could tempt Senior

Senior: Could come out of retirement

I announced my retirement - and whether it's the right thing or wrong thing, that remains to be seen

Keith Senior
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Leeds centre Keith Senior has revealed he would consider a return to England for the Gillette Four Nations series.

Senior retired from the international game after last year's World Cup semi-final but the 33-year-old threequarter is playing well as is evident from his selection for the 2009 Super League Dream Team.

Smith added Wigan pair Sam Tomkins and Sean O'Loughlin to his train-on squad but omitted experienced centre Martin Gleeson, who won 26 international caps and has frequently appeared on the national side over the last seven years.

Smith will make his selections from Leeds and St Helens following the upcoming Grand Final, but Senior has revealed he could be tempted out of international retirement.

"It's a tough question," he said.

"I announced my retirement - and whether it's the right thing or wrong thing, that remains to be seen.

"I've not had a phone call yet and I'm not expecting a phone call, so I'm not focusing too much on it.

"I've been enjoying my rugby. Leeds have shown a lot of loyalty to me, and it was time to pay them something back while I'm still playing some good rugby."

Injury

Ryan Atkins, who joins Smith's Warrington club next season, took the number four jersey in the mid-season international against France and looked likely to keep it for the Four Nations games against France, Australia and New Zealand.

However, the Wakefield centre has pulled out in order to undergo wrist surgery and with Hull centre Kirk Yeaman also out with injury, Smith's options are limited, although Michael Shenton, Paul Sykes and Chris Bridge are in the train-on squad.

Senior, who has made 10 appearances for England and won 33 caps for Great Britain, believes his form is good enough to allow him to reclaim his place in the team.

"I know I could still play at international level," he added.

"I'd have to speak to my family and I'd definitely think about it very deeply. I'm a very proud man and I love pulling on an international shirt. You never say never, do you?"

Senior's club-mate Lee Smith could be another centre option after revealing that his new club Wasps would not stand in his way.

"If Tony wants to pick me, I'm always available for my country - which any

person should be," said Smith, who was a member of England's World Cup squad but was not named for the 66-12 win over France in June.

"I'd play for my country with pride. It would be an honour."

Good news

Meanwhile, the England call-up for Tomkins nicely rounds off the 20-year-old's first full season in the Super League.

The good news keeps coming for the half-back, who was chosen in the Dream Team and was also named Super League young player of the year.

The new additions take the total of the England train-on squad to 22, which will make up the basis of Smith's team for the clash against Wales in Bridgend later this month when Leeds and St Helens players will be rested.

Smith will announce his final Four Nations squad next Monday.