WARRINGTON players Ben Harrison and Chris Bridge have been drafted into the England train-on squad, taking the representation from coach Tony Smith’s club to six.
Harrison, a 21-year-old loose forward, and centre or stand-off Bridge, 25, have both represented Ireland in the past but have been given permission by the International Federation to switch their allegiance.
“Ireland understand what’s happened,” said Smith. “Just as there are English boys who want to play for Ireland, sometimes there are Ireland players who want to play for England. It works both ways.
“So long as we communicate and understand where a player’s ambitions are we can support each other in that respect. We are happy to work with and help all the home nations.
“Chris and Ben have always had the ambition to play for England and at the end of the season they came to me and spoke of their desire to play for England.
“For now they have been called up into the train-on squad – whether they go on to play for England remains to be seen.
“They have both put their hands up for England and it’s good to have them along. Both have represented England at junior level before.”
Harrison and Bridge join club-mates Adrian Morley, Garreth Carvell, Ben Westwood and Mickey Higham in the squad, which now stands at 20 with players from St Helens, Wigan and Leeds to be added.
Smith continued: “They have both had pretty good years. Ben has had a lot of recognition for his effort, he’s maturing and is keen to make the next step up into representative rugby league and I’m happy to help him with that.
“Chris was consistent and didn’t have many injuries. He put a lot of pressure on opposition teams. He’s a dangerous player who will create a lot of opportunities.”
Ireland coach Andy Kelly said he was disappointed to lose the two players, who would have been certain to be in his squad for the end-of-season European Cup, but wished them both well.
“Hopefully at some point we might get the opportunity to work with Ben and Chris again,” he said.
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