Hull FC 38 Harlequins 6: Westerman’s display sparks off England talk

The former Castleford man was once billed as the next British superstar, but has been overtaken by the likes of Sam and Joel Tomkins over recent times.

He was not in the national side for Friday’s clash with the Exiles – instead having to settle for a place in the England Knights squad – but shone yesterday, stepping in to lead Hull’s attack in a performance reminiscent of his early days with the Tigers.

“I think England need him,” Agar said. “I’m not just talking about England the team, but as a game we need people like Joe coming through. He cares a great deal about his performances and I think it’s good that our club have given him a challenge in the back row.

“It’s not been good in terms of game time as he’s probably not had as much as he’d like but sometimes his performances have been a little bit loose and not warranted it.

“I think that has made him aim up in a couple of areas of his game which he’s started to do, and obviously he’s moved to a new club and is starting to find his role in the team.

“I think he’s making some big steps forward.

“He is a very capable and what I would term a natural footballer,” he said.

Hull had four men on display who featured in the England-Exiles game, with Willie Manu excelling with a 77-minute stint that included a try and two assists, while Tom Briscoe also went over the line.

Mark O’Meley packed down as well, while Craig Fitzgibbon did 10 minutes off the bench.

“Willie looked really good in the company he played with on Friday night,” Agar said. “Representative honours have probably been a little bit overdue for him.

“Fitzgibbon did 10 minutes and we know what he’s like. He was super-keen to be in the 17 and he had to be persuaded to sit and watch from the bench.”

Hull: Whiting, Lyne, Turner, Yeaman, T. Briscoe, Horne, Obst, O’Meley, Houghton, Radford, Tickle, Manu, Westerman. Substitutes: Dowes, Lauaki, Moa, Fitzgibbon.

Harlequins: Riley, Calderwood, Clubb, O’Callaghan, Melling, Bailey, Gale, Temata, Randall, Ward, Burnett, Wilkes, Krasniqi. Substitutes: Williams, Ambler, Bryan, Ellis.

Referee: R Silverwood (Dewsbury)