Manu gets the Exiles call again to face England

Coach Daniel Anderson unveiled another four of his selections yesterday with Wigan stand-off Brett Finch, St Helens centre Francis Meli and Catalan second-row Louis Anderson all getting the nod for the International Origin Series.

Tongan Manu, 32, has been in devastating form for the Black and Whites and reprises his role having featured in the Exiles’ win at Headingley last year.

Former Huddersfield captain Brett Hodgson had already been named along with Saints’ Sia Soliola, Catalan’s Setaimata Sa, Wigan prop Jeff Lima and Warrington hooker Michael Monaghan.

Anderson will unveil the remaining members of his 22-man squad for the opening June 16 game at Langtree Park next Wednesday with England coach Steve McNamara doing likewise 24 hours later.

Someone who will be hoping to get a call for England, meanwhile, is Leeds Rhinos utility man Carl Ablett.

He missed his own stag-do last autumn to take a place in their Four Nations squad but did not feature during the tournament.

However, Ablett has signed a new deal with champions Leeds, extending his stay there until 2016, with club coach Brian McDermott reinforcing his belief that the second-row is ready for an England debut.

“Carl is one of the unsung stars of our game at present but is consistently one of our top performers every week,” he said.

“I think he could certainly step up to the next level and do that for his country as well.”

Ablett is set to switch from the second row to centre to cover for the injured Kallum Watkins.

“If Brian McDermott wants me to play centre, I am happy to do that and hopefully we can get the win that we want,” said the Rhinos player.

“We have got a big challenge on our hands. Wigan are in great form at present and we will need to be at our best to compete with them.”

Wigan are involved in a tug-of-war with arch rivals St Helens for the signature of Salford scrum-half Matty Smith.

The 24-year-old former Saints half-back has become one of the most sought-after players in Super League after discovering the best form of his career with the Reds this season. He will be out of contract at the end of the year.