Gareth Ellis has admitted he would not rule out coming out of international retirement for England after the captain, Sean O’Loughlin, became the latest leading player to be ruled out of this year’s Four Nations.
Ellis has not played for England since 2012 after announcing his retirement in the run-up to the 2013 World Cup, but said he would consider a comeback if approached by the England coach, Wayne Bennett. O’Loughlin, along with his Wigan team-mate Sam Tomkins, will miss the rest of the domestic season as well as the international period because of injury, the Warriors confirmed on Monday.
The 35-year-old Ellis, who was included in Super League Dream Team in recognition of his achievements for Hull this year, said he would “definitely consider” returning to the international stage but added: “There’s a lot to take in before making a call. I’m stood here wearing this Dream Team shirt because of the rests and pre-seasons I’ve been able to have due to not playing internationals.
“I’d have to think long and hard about it. I was always very proud to pull on the England shirt but when you get to my age there’s a lot more to think about than just doing it. I wouldn’t rule it out.”
The season-ending injuries of O’Loughlin and Tomkins are the latest in a growing number of problems for Bennett before his first game in charge of the national side. Already without the Wigan wing Dom Manfredi and the Warrington forward Ben Currie – who were both named in the Dream Team alongside Ellis – Bennett must now also decide on a new captain for the Four Nations.
Any return for Ellis would automatically make him a contender but the Warrington captain, Chris Hill, as well as the National Rugby League duo of James Graham and Sam Burgess would also be in contention.
Tomkins will undergo investigative surgery this week to correct a foot injury and although the Wigan coach, Shaun Wane, admitted the calf tear sustained by O’Loughlin is not as severe, he was equally as pessimistic over his chances of playing again this year. “I’d say he’s 99% not playing again this year,” Wane said. “You never know with him but it’s very doubtful. He’s got a tear in his calf and that’s not going to recover in time.”
