Huddersfield Giants’ Jake Wardle’s Cup heartache behind him as he prepares for England bow

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Centre Wardle, 23, was left out of the Challenge Cup final for hometown Huddersfield less than three weeks ago but is now gearing up to make his England debut against the Combined Nations All Stars on Saturday

Heartache one month, delight the next. Jake Wardle is proof of the roller-coaster life of a sportsman.

Huddersfield’s exciting centre is set for his England debut against the Combined Nations All Stars on Saturday – just three weeks after being left out of Giants’ Challenge Cup final against Wigan. Wardle, 23, said: “Obviously I was very disappointed and frustrated.

“But I’ve been trying to train hard, train well and luckily I’ve managed to get a call-up to this England squad. I’ve just been concentrating on myself. I didn’t really expect this given I missed the Cup final. So, when I got a call it was unexpected but I’ll obviously make the most of any chance I might get. I’m confident I can do that.”

Although Wardle is clearly one of Super League’s most gifted young players, his club is spoilt for choice when it comes to centres. Veteran Leroy Cudjoe, who starred for England at the 2013 World Cup, and prolific Samoa international Ricky Leutele have held sway most of this campaign. Wardle has been limited to just six Super League appearances in 2022 but is ready to shine with England – even if it all feels surreal.

He said: “It’s my first camp so it’s a new experience for me. I’ve just been trying to get to know the lads and make the most of it. It’ll make me a better player at the end of it all. If I do get to play, hopefully I can rip in, do my job, go well and maybe raise a few questions about the World Cup at the end of the year.”

The elusive three-quarter trained with Shaun Wane’s England last year but never got into camp for games against the All Stars or France. However, St Helens’ Mark Percival and Wakefield’s Reece Lyne are injured while Leeds’ Harry Newman is just making his comeback from a long spell out. Wane has also overlooked Rhinos’ Zak Hardaker.

Ian Watson’s Huddersfield – who were looking to win the Challenge Cup for the first time since 1953 – agonisingly lost the final after conceding a late try at Spurs. On being omitted, homegrown academy product Wardle said: “Watto told me how Ricky and Leroy had been playing pretty consistently and well. I saw it coming. I knew what was going to happen in a sense but understood.

“But if I get to play with England, I want to make it impossible for Shaun Wane to leave me out when it comes to the World Cup – and take that back to club level.”

He’s the only Huddersfield player in the England squad following Jermaine McGillvary’s surprise international retirement last week. But Wardle’s rooming with experienced St Helens winger and 2018 Golden Boot winner Tommy Makinson. Ahead of today’s team announcement, he said: “It’s been good to get to know each other now – and Tommy’s taken me under his wing.”