Alex Walmsley shares England plan as he bids to put injury woes behind him

11 January 2024 , 11:51

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England's Alex Walmsley in the 2017 World Cup quarter-final against Papua New Guinea. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images)

Alex Walmsley has vowed his England career is not over.

The St Helens prop, who played in the 2017 World Cup final after making his Test debut during that tournament, turns 34 in April. He remains one of Super League’s top forwards but has only featured once under current England boss Shaun Wane, facing France in 2021. Walmsley missed the World Cup 12 months later due to a foot issue.

And he sat out last year’s series whitewash of Tonga having only recently returned from a serious knee injury. But the powerhouse forward, who played all four Great Britain games on their 2019 southern hemisphere tour, insisted: “I do [want to get back]. I’ve missed out on two competitions now due to injury.

"I know I got back playing at the back end of the season with Saints but by no way was I in a position to tackle an international series. It was a tough decision having to pull out of that. But by no means do I feel like I’ve finished my international career. I want to play at least one more time for England and finish on a great note internationally. It’s important I get back to playing my best for Saints and then we’ll see.”

Meanwhile, Walmsley joined the rest of the squad, coaches, staff and sponsors this week for the first viewing of Saints Down Under: History Makers which was filmed by club videographer Josh Howard. Following the club on last year's historic trip to face Penrith in the World Club Challenge, with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, it’s a fascinating insight into what makes the Super League record-breakers tick - and how they brought the revered NRL champions to their knees. Walmsley, towering up front that night when Saints defeated Panthers 13-12, admitted: “I really enjoyed it.

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“It’s an opportunity to relive some amazing memories. Beforehand, I didn’t know quite what to expect. When we went out there and Josh had his camera in hand, I don’t think this (cinema) intention was in mind. But it’s great and brought back many smiles. Sitting at the back watching, especially when the game footage came on, the goose bumps came back. To experience those again in a cinema probably shows what it meant to us all.”

David Craven