Kallum Watkins Opens Up About His England Aspirations Amid Ashes Selection Fight

Kallum Watkins believed that participating in a podcast would be the closest he would come to seeking revenge for his Aussie ankle tap misfortune.

Little did he know that a real opportunity would arise.

Kallum Watkins reflects on how he thought the closest he would get to facing Australia again was through reliving the 2017 World Cup final for a podcast.Credit: SWPIX.COM

The last encounter between England and Australia was during the 2017 World Cup final, where the Leeds star believed he had broken through the Kangaroos’ defense.

However, Josh Dugan's fingertips were enough to bring him down, resulting in a 6-0 loss for Wayne Bennett's team.

Fast forward eight years, and he is now part of Shaun Wane’s squad for the first Ashes series in 22 years.

Earlier this year, Watkins thought that reminiscing about that moment would be the closest he would get to another opportunity—he had accepted that his last international appearance would be the heartbreaking semi-final loss to Samoa in 2022.

He stated: “A few months ago, we recorded a podcast discussing those past games.

“Had I not been ankle tapped, I had Elliott Whitehead on my inside to pass to, so hopefully Gareth Widdop would’ve converted the kick, and we would have been level. So, who knows?

“It would’ve given us the best chance to achieve something remarkable.

“It’s all about moments—that’s international rugby, isn’t it?

“At that time, I thought that would be the closest I would ever get to them.

“That was the last time we faced the Aussies. It’s been such a long time. It’s crazy when you think about it, isn’t it?

Watkins came closest to breaking through the Aussies in the 6-0 final defeat.Credit: SWPIX.COM

“This opportunity is long overdue, and I believe we must make it truly special.

“Shaun contacted me about a month ago, and I attended the final England meeting before he announced the team. I knew I had a chance, but I didn’t think it would actually happen.”

Watkins was a center back then, but now plays as a back-row forward, making his return even more remarkable considering how his season began.

Involved in a tumultuous situation at Salford, his main focus was on getting paid, rather than facing the Aussies.

Watkins acknowledges that leaving Salford for Leeds helped him regain his spot in the Test setup.Credit: SWPIX.COM

However, returning to Leeds has allowed him to focus solely on rugby, and his skills have truly shone.

The 34-year-old added: “It was a challenging situation at Salford. I wouldn’t wish that experience on anyone.

“But I wanted to seize the opportunity to return to Leeds with both hands.

“That has contributed to my development as a player, and it has positioned me back in the England squad.”