KEVIN Sinfield admits Great Britain’s reformed side could feature non-British born players – and some have already said they want to play.
The Lions come back after 12 years away with games against New Zealand, Tonga and Papua New Guinea in October and November.
While Wales stars Regan Grace and Morgan Knowles plus Scotland’s Lachlan Coote are in the running for selection, plenty of ‘heritage’ players, who qualify through ancestry, are too.
And Sinfield admits the door is open to Warrington’s Blake Austin and Salford’s Jackson Hastings, as well as NRL stars Victor Radley and Campbell Graham – if they come calling.
He said: “Lachlan and Jackson will be on the list of players when it’s drawn up because everyone who qualifies will be.
“The fact they’ve made it known they’re interested is great as we want people who want to wear the shirt, we don’t want to devalue it.
“We’ve had a couple of players get in contact already and our sport looks on the issue differently to others. I was fortunate enough to play internationally alongside Maurie Fa’asavalu and Rangi Chase.
“People qualify for different countries for a number of different reasons. Chris Heighington hadn’t been to England before 2011 and he was more English than I was!
“If you’re qualified you’ll be seriously considered. If you’re on top of your game, you’ve a huge chance. We’re drawing up a list of players around the world but won’t be knocking down anyone’s door.
“If someone really desperately wants to play, they qualify and their form is good enough, they’ll certainly be in with a shout.”
While England do not have a senior 13-a-side game this year, they will be at the inaugural Rugby League World Cup Nines competition in Australia on October 18 and 19 and coached by Wayne Bennett.
And Sinfield, the Rugby Football League’s rugby director, admitted anyone who plays in the Super League Grand Final will not be eligible for selection.
He added: “With it being the weekend after the Super League Grand Final, to stick lads on a plane and fly them out is not the right thing to do.
“That may affect players for the Nines but the Great Britain squad who make the Grand Final, we’re looking to fly them out on the Wednesday after it.”
