Sam Tomkins vows to grab England chance 'with both hands'

The Warriors full-back is part of a four-strong Warriors contingent, including John Bateman, Sean O’Loughlin and George Williams to make the cut for the 25-man squad, from which the side for this autumn’s Test series against New Zealand will be picked.

But Tomkins, who hasn’t played for England since the 2014 Four Nations, still feels like he needs to impress to earn his spot.

“I’ve got a fair bit of improvement in me but delighted with my form so I’m happy that’s been recognised,” he said. “It’s nice to be put back in. I had a couple of years with injuries which sort of got me out that England circle so it’s nice to be back in.

“To be honest I didn’t think about it a great deal. If it happens, it happens.”

But the 29-year-old, who will join Catalans Dragons for next season, said he has always been confident of getting the chance to add to his 25 international caps.

“I was always confident I would work my way back into that group,” explained.

“I’m lucky enough to have played 25 international games and I know it comes from club form so my goal is always play really well at Wigan, be consistent for Wigan in whatever position I’m in and if I get a call up on the back of that so be it.

“I’m at an age now where if I didn’t get selected for England I wouldn’t be crying in my six weeks off, I’d be enjoying my life with my family.

“Eight nine years ago in the same situation I’d probably have been stressing and it was a bigger deal but I’m very proud to be English and very proud to pull that jersey on so any opportunity to do it again I’d be taking it with both hands.”

Tomkins is now turning his attention to achieving his goal of leaving Wigan with silverware, like he did in 2013 before a stint in the NRL with New Zealand Warriors.

He admitted walking out at Old Trafford in October would be ‘a dream come true’ and hopes Warriors can seal second-spot, but warned Catalans pose a tough threat in their last match of the regular season on Friday.

“It would be huge. There’s a hell of a lot of hard work to go before that, but that’s the goal – to leave with another ring,” he said. “We want that second spot going into the split for the 8s.

“We understand the importance of it and Catalans have been playing really well in the past six weeks.”