Ex-Leeds Rhinos' Ryan Hall will "cross that bridge" later with England snub

The Sydney Roosters star is his country's greatest-ever try scorer, touching down 36 times in just 38 Tests.

He has been one of the first names on the squad list since debuting in 2009, was named the sport's best winger earlier in his career and played in the 2017 World Cup final.

Hall also represented Great Britain under Wayne Bennett last autumn but the ex-Leeds Rhinos favourite was not mentioned when Wane - named as Bennett's successor as England coach in February - made his first picks.

With England due to face Australia over a three-Test home series this autumn, he invited 31 prospective Ashes candidates to a players' gathering at Old Trafford scheduled for Monday although that has now obviously been postponed due to the coronavirus.

Wane also named a further eight NRL-based players on his 'watch list' but Hall was not one of them, leaving the question is the international career of one of the modern greats over?

Canberra Raiders' five Englishmen John Bateman, Elliott Whitehead, Josh Hodgson, George Williams and the uncapped Ryan Sutton were all included.

Tom Burgess (South Sydney), James Graham (St George-Illawarra) and Kallum Watkins (Gold Coast Titans) are the others in his thoughts.

Admittedly, the prolific Hall - who turns 33 in November - has endured a wretched 18 months with injury, suffering an ACL that ended his trophy-laden Rhinos career in August 2018.

That delayed his NRL debut with Roosters until May last year and then, after six games, he dislocated a knee that kept him out further.

Hall endured the same injury when playing for the Lions against New Zealand in November which required more surgery and he has duly missed the start of the NRL campaign although the Yorkshireman hopes to be fit to resume shortly.

Furthermore, Wane is not short of class wingers with 2018 Golden Boot winner Tommy Makinson, Great Britain's Jermaine McGillvary and Warrington Wolves' Josh Charnley - who has not played for England since the 2014 Four Nations - among those 31 candidates.

Uncapped Dom Manfredi, who Wane knows well from his days in charge of Wigan Warriors, is the fourth winger included but the England coach says the door is always open for others to press their claims.

Asked if Wane had spoken to him about the omission, Hall replied: "No but it’s not at the forefront of my thinking at the moment.

"I’m not sure if it (the Ashes series) has been cancelled.

"There’s a lot of talk about the NRL being pushed back and that might affect the internationals.

"We don’t know what’s going to happen at the end of the year.

"Things are moving and changing so fast now with the coronavirus.

"I’m just thinking about the here and now and getting back for the Roosters.

"Obviously, every time I’m represented England I’ve always loved it. I’m proud to play for my country. I’ll just cross that bridge when it comes."

NRL clubs are playing behind closed doors during the pandemic although no one is sure how long that will last.

If the State of Origin gets postponed, that could be played later in the year while, in the UK, all rugby league has been suspended until April 3 at the earliest.

Super League and NRL have their respective Grand Finals in October and, if they are altered in any way, it will obviously throw the much-anticipated Ashes series with the touring Kangaroos in doubt.

Australia have not taken part in a tour here for 17 years with Tests due to be played at Bolton, Leeds United's Elland Road and Tottenham from October 31 to November 14.

An RFL statement said: “Our sport, like all sports, is facing unprecedented challenges, and we recognise that applies in the southern hemisphere as it does here.

“At the moment our contingency planning for the remainder of this season involves looking at all options but there is still more planning to be done with nothing confirmed and nothing ruled out either.

“We are in constant dialogue with all our partners including Super League, the Championship and League 1 clubs, and today at a meeting of the Community Board, in addition to the International Rugby League and the ARLC to explore all options.

“The key for the game, internationally as well as nationally, is to be collegiate, creative and flexible.”