Warrington boss Steve Price 'very surprised' that Shaun Wane has overlooked Gareth Widdop

Warrington coach Steve Price has expressed his surprise over the omission of Gareth Widdop from Shaun Wane's first England squad.
New England coach Shaun WaneNew England coach Shaun Wane
New England coach Shaun Wane

The 30-year-old former Melbourne and St George Illawarra half-back, who joined the Wolves as a marquee player this year, has been a virtual ever-present in the England team since making his debut under Steve McNamara in 2010.

But the Halifax-born player has been left out of a list of 31 players chosen by Wane to attend a get-together at Old Trafford on March 23 as part of the preparations for the end-of-year Ashes series.

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"I was very surprised," Price said at his weekly press conference. "I'm not sure what the coach is thinking there.

"Gareth has been really consistent when he's played for his country and he's represented his country with a lot of honour I feel.

"It's a question you'd have to ask Shaun.

"I've spoken to Shaun briefly, but more about the players he was picking."

Wane, who has succeeded Australian Wayne Bennett as England coach, has also ignored Widdop's half-back partner Blake Austin, who toured with Great Britain in the autumn and ended up playing as an emergency winger.

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"With the limited opportunities he got last year, I think he's another one who put the team and the country first," Price added.

"He went out there and had to play out of position.

"I'm not quite sure what Shaun and his coaching staff feel, that's for them to answer.

"But I do feel for those two boys - although I'm ecstatic for the other boys that have been invited to that squad."

Wane has also left out another Australia-born half-back, Jackson Hastings, who like Austin qualifies through an English grandparent and pledged his future to his adopted country.