KALLUM WATKINS has revealed a 6am phone call from Brian McDermott set the ball rolling for an England call-up.
Watkins, who had enjoyed a stellar Super League season with Leeds Rhinos, was named in McDermott’s extended 40-man squad but had been left out of the 23-man squad picked to travel to the World Cup.
However, with Canberra Raiders forward Morgan Smithies ruled out for the tournament through injury, Watkins was given a call by his former Leeds Rhinos boss McDermott – and he jumped at the chance.
“It’s been a pretty crazy time,” admitted the 35-year-old. “I wasn’t doing too much, just enjoying my off-season with the family.
“I got a phone call at six in the morning, with Morgan Smithies dropping out, I was asked if I was available and if I would like to come over to Australia.
“I said yes and I’m grateful to be here.
“It’s my fourth time playing in a World Cup and being part of the squad is great. The lads have been awesome from the first minute I came in.”
For Watkins, who represented his country on home soil in 2013 and 2022 tournaments as well as being a part of the side that reached the 2017 final Down Under, pulling on the England shirt remains a source of great pride.
“Every time I wear the England shirt it means more and more,” he explained. “Especially now that I’m coming to the back end of my career.
“I got the opportunity to play in the Ashes last year (a 3-0 whitewash by Australia), and I didn’t think I’d be able to do that in the last few years of my career.
“You’ve got to take these chances. It means a lot to play for England and I am very blessed to do that.”
Watkins missed the opening 30-12 defeat to Tonga and has been named in reserve for this weekend’s clash with France, with McDermott opting for an unchanged squad.
But the forward is ready if called upon, insisting: “My body feels pretty good. I need to look after myself over the week and help the boys out.”
