Lunt keen to learn from his England call-up

Lunt, along with Huddersfield team-mate Kevin Brown, was yesterday drafted into the England squad and put on stand-by for Saturday's Gillette Fusion International against France after injury concerns surrounding Leeds Rhinos pair Kevin Sinfield and Danny McGuire.

The talented 23-year-old used to play part-time rugby with Purdham, one of the victims of last week's Cumbrian shootings.

"I or my family have not personally been affected by what happened back home but I knew Garry and played rugby with him for three years at Workington," said Lunt, who has made rapid strides in only his second Super League season with Huddersfield.

"It's awful what has happened. I've spoken to my family and everyone in there is just in shock.

"They can't believe everything that has happened."

If Lunt, who hails from Cockermouth, could follow in the footsteps of Purdham's elder brother Rob and become the latest proud Cumbrian to represent England it would offer a small shaft of sunlight for the county at this desperate time.

But even if he does not make the final cut – England coach Steve McNamara will make a decision on the Leeds duo's fitness after training this afternoon – the skilful operator is soaking up everything he can during the international squad's Manchester training camp.

"I was always confident in my ability and that maybe one day I'd get a chance," said Lunt, who needed confirmation from Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown that McNamara's Sunday night call was not a cruel team-mate playing a nasty prank.

"But it is only 18 months since I was at Workington so it is crazy.

"I'm just enjoying it even if I don't get to play this weekend. I'll use it as learning experience."

He and gifted stand-off Brown received the news shortly after arriving home following Huddersfield's emphatic 52-6 win over McNamara's Bradford side at Odsal.

It was the visitors' first win in five games and the pair were at their creative best as the slick Giants eradicated the recent individual errors that had cost them so dearly to fashion a ruthless display.

McNamara, who surprisingly did not name any Huddersfield players in his initial 19-man squad, could only have been impressed as his vanquished side were consistently tormented but it emerged the national coach already had the duo high in his thinking.

Brown, set to benefit if McGuire pulls up and with

St Helens scrum-half Kyle Eastmond already out, admitted: "It was disappointing not to have any of our guys in that squad but it did look a strong 19.

"Steve (McNamara) told our coach he was going to get to me after the Bradford game and tell me why I didn't make it but then obviously things happened over the weekend with a few injuries and it was a case of him telling me I'd actually got in.

"It ended up being a really good meeting and a bit of a shock."

Brown had strong claims for a place following some commanding performances, not only this season but over the last 18 months.

However, Super League's current top try-scorer David Hodgson and fellow Giants winger Leroy Cudjoe were also overlooked as was Huddersfield prop Eorl Crabtree, one of the stars of last year's Gillette Four Nations.

Brown only missed out originally because of the stellar form of Wigan's Sam Tomkins but the 25-year-old is now hoping he can get the opportunity to impress at Leigh Sports Village alongside Lunt.

"It's going to be massive for the pair of us," he said.

"We're uncapped and it'd be our debut. No matter how it happens, you get your debut and you take it.

"We'll be trying to impress and were speaking on the phone Sunday night saying how we couldn't believe how it had all happened so suddenly.

"From no one being in, there's two of us now. It's a good opportunity for us and we'll just have to see what happens."

Sinfield and McGuire both suffered knee injuries against Wakefield on Friday night and McNamara, preparing for his first match in charge of England, rates their chances of recovering as '50-50'.

If they are passed fit, Brown and Lunt will return to Huddersfield and prepare for the Giants' trip to St Helens on Friday night.

Meanwhile, Melbourne Storm full-back Gareth Widdop and Wests Tigers second row Gareth Ellis both joined England's camp yesterday while South Sydney forward Sam Burgess is set to arrive tomorrow.

Huddersfield's Galpharm Stadium will host the Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-final between Leeds and St Helens on Saturday August 7 (2.30pm) with Widnes Vikings' Stobart Stadium the venue for the following day's encounter between Warrington and Catalans (3.30pm).