Chris Hill's scheme to send Shaun Wane World Cup message in Challenge Cup Final

After helping Huddersfield into the Challenge Cup final, Chris Hill has not given up hope of playing for England at the World Cup – but admits he has heard nothing from Shaun Wane. The 34-year-old prop enjoying a fine campaign following his close-season switch from Warrington Wolves and is now gunning for glory in Saturday’s showdown against Wigan Warriors.

Hill lifted rugby league’s oldest and most famous trophy with Warrington in 2012 and 2019 following victories against Leeds Rhinos and St Helens. He also tasted defeat in 2016 and 2018 at the hands of Hull FC and Catalans Dragons respectively but despite being a seasoned campaigner on the international scene, Hill accepts his England days could now be over.

Asked if he had spoken with Wane this year, Hill told Rugby League Live: “I’ve had nothing, no. The last time I spoke with Shaun was the end of last year and there was talk about me playing against France.

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“But I’d been injecting my sternum and I was up front with Shaun and said 'I’ve been injecting my sternum for the last five or six weeks. No disrespect to France, but I don’t need to be injecting it again for another week’.

“I said it would be a different story if it was the Aussies or Kiwis we were playing and he fully understood. That was the last time I spoke to him, but we’ll see what happens.

“If it comes then great, but I’m 34 now and there is a lot of good young talent knocking about in my position. We’ll see, and I’d never say no to England, but let’s see what this season brings. I just want to get my form right for Huddersfield and concentrate on that. Everything else takes care of itself.”

Hill’s move across the Pennines has