Liam Farrell admits losing England spot to an Aussie-born forward hurt

The issue of selecting players who qualify through their ancestry has resurfaced this week after new coach Shaun Wane left out Warriors new recruit Jackson Hastings and Warrington’s Blake Austin, both of whom played for Great Britain on their disastrous tour of New Zealand late last year.

Farrell played under former coach Wayne Bennett once in 2016 but fell down the pecking order the following year.

And he admits the fact an Australian-born forward – Chris McQueen – was selected ahead of him for a Test against Samoa only rubbed salt into the wound. Aussie-born Chris Heighington was also included.

“I was involved with Wayne at the back end of 2016, but he’s seen other players in front of me (since),” said Farrell, who was earlier this week named in Wane’s squad of potential candidates for the Ashes series.

“I’ve always thought that if a coach favours other players, I don’t mind at all.

“But personally it’s tough to take and those few years I’ve not been involved have been tough.”

Asked whether it hurt more losing out when an Australian-born forward was included, the 29-year-old second row replied: “I’ll not lie, it did.

“We’ve bags of potential in loads of positions and to pick lads I wouldn’t class as fully-English players...it’s tough to take when they’re in front of you.

“That hurt, but it probably would for other lads in other positions as well, if they’re picking players who haven’t been born in this country.”

He discovered his inclusion in Wane’s provisional panel, which will meet up at Old Trafford later this month, via email.

“It’s good to be back involved but it’s early days,” he added.

“Hopefully my form continues and I get a shot at the end of the year.”

Farrell has started this season in good form, but he insisted: “It’s not a direct motivation.

“I want to win things here – we’ve got the best squad we’ve had in a few years now.

“And if my form is good, that will lead to other things.”