Wednesday 29 June 2016 10:50, UK
Australian scrum-half Trent Hodkinson has confirmed he has held talks with new England head coach Wayne Bennett over a potential switch of allegiance in time for this year's Four Nations Series.
The Newcastle Knights player has made six appearances for New South Wales' State of Origin team but qualifies for England through his father and had been linked with a switch under Bennett's predecessor Steve McNamara.
Now Hodkinson, 27, has suggested he may be open to playing for England, telling the Newcastle Herald: "We'll have to wait and see. I've spoken to Wayne and that's all I'm going to say at the moment."
Hodkinson's availability raises the prospect of an all-NRL half-back combination with St George Illawarra's Halifax-born stand-off Gareth Widdop.
Matty Smith is England's incumbent No 7 but faces competition from Super League rivals Luke Gale, George Williams, Marc Sneyd and Kevin Brown, who were among the group of 31 players who met Bennett during his recent trip to England.
Bennett is also thought to be considering twins Josh and Brett Morris, who have already played for Australia but are eligible for England through their grandfather.
Brett Morris, a centre or winger who scored a hat-trick of tries against Bennett's Brisbane Broncos team on his comeback from injury at the weekend, has won 18 caps for the Kangaroos but also appears open to a switch.
"We are eligible to play for England through our grandad and our mother lived in England until she was 13-years-old," he said
"I haven't even thought about it, it's something that's completely left field. But you've always got to keep your options open."
