Wakefield Trinity's Reece Lyne ready for fierce battle for England centre berths

Wakefield Trinity's Reece Lyne says Jake Connor being overlooked by England shows just how much competition there now is for national centre spots.
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Lyne has got the nod from Shaun Wane in a 31-man group that has been invited to meet later this month ahead of the Ashes series against Australia at the end of the season.

One of the surprise omissions was Connor, the versatile Hull FC star who had featured heavily for England under Wane's predecessor Wayne Bennett and also lined up at centre for Great Britain last autumn.

Wakefield Trinity's Reece Lyne (Chris Mangnall/SWpix.com)Wakefield Trinity's Reece Lyne (Chris Mangnall/SWpix.com)
Wakefield Trinity's Reece Lyne (Chris Mangnall/SWpix.com)
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"There’s six or seven centres in the squad and obviously it's missing the likes of Jake who’s a fantastic player," said Lyne, whose solitary cap so far came against France under Bennett in 2018.

"So you just have to keep performing week to week.

"Shaun has already said it’s not a closed door for the players that aren’t in there - and it’s not a certainty for those that are.

"You’ve just got to keep putting best foot forward with club rugby every week and hopefully that will take care of itself."

Lyne, who toured with the England Nines to Brisbane last year, was glad to see his name pencilled on that initial list.

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"With a new coach involved you don’t always know what their plans are or what their thoughts on you are," added the 27-year-old.

"So, to get that recognition off Shaun Wane is really pleasing.

"It’s a big series against Australia but it’s a long way away yet with us only being four games or so into the new season.

"A lot of things can happen between now and then.

"It’s good to get that initial recognition but there’s a long way to go to obviously getting in that team and playing October/November time."

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There will be some familiar names for Lyne to overcome including St Helens' Mark Percival, Wigan Warriors duo Oliver Gildart and former Man of Steel Zak Hardaker plus Hull FC's Josh Griffin, the former Trinity centre who has made more metres than any other player in Super League this term.

There was also a surprise recall for Salford's Dan Sarginson and the less surprising addition of Harry Newman, the exciting Leeds Rhinos youngster who has represented England Academy and England Knights in the last two years and now wants to go one better.

"I've been really impressed with him," said Lyne.

"I've come up against him a couple of times. He’s 20 years of age and a real talent; strong as anything, has a lot of elusive skill and is fast so he’s one who’s definitely for the future with a long career ahead of him.

"He could be the next England centre for the next five or 10 years or so if he keeps developing the way he is so there’s some good talent out there."

Gold Coast Titans' Kallum Watkins, the former Rhinos captain who Newman essentially replaced at Headingley last June, is also on Wane's 'watch-list' of England players featuring in the NRL.

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