Alex Walmsley ready for England debut at World Cup

Alex Walmsley is ready for his international debut at the Rugby League World Cup in Australia next week.

The 27-year-old made a big impact from the bench in England's World Cup warm-up match where Wayne Bennett's men produced a 74-12 rout of the part-time players of the Combined Affiliated States.

Walmsley has also thrived in the training camp this week ahead of Friday's World Cup opener against Australia in Melbourne.

However, prior to this, the St Helens front rower made the 12,000-mile trip to Sydney in May but was one of the three players who was not used during England's 30-10 victory over Australia.

"Being a part of the 20-man squad in May put me in good stead," Walmsley said. "It was tough not playing but I think I'm better for it, as a player and as a person.

"It re-ignited the hunger. I've always been really ambitious and representing my country has always been one of my aims, I came close in May and hopefully this time I get the opportunity."

Despite being on the periphery of the England scene, Walmsley has excelled in the Super League.

He was a member of Saints' Grand Final-winning team in 2014, was named in the Super League Dream Team in 2015 and was on the three-man short-list for the Man of Steel award.

However, Walmsley was injured later that season and missed the end-of-season internationals and was out of the picture for when the Four Nations came around in 2016.

He said: "I put my international aims on the back burner a little bit but thankfully I've been given an opportunity and hopefully I'll get to pull on that jersey this time around,"