England will face the Combined Nations All Stars on Friday 25 June at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
The All Stars side – set to be led by former Australia Head Coach Tim Sheens – will be formed by non-English players currently competing in the Betfred Super League.
With that in mind, we’ve shortlisted four potential scrum halves who could line up for the All Stars in June…
James Maloney (Catalans Dragons / Australia)
James Maloney arrived at Catalans Dragons ahead of the 2020 Betfred Super League season and has proved an astute signing for the Dragons helping the club reach the Play-Offs last year.
Maloney has a tonne of experience from his time in the NRL having spent time with Melbourne Storm, New Zealand Warriors, Sydney Roosters, Cronulla Sharks and Penrith Panthers. The halfback won the NRL Grand Final with both the Roosters and Sharks as well as lifting the World Club Challenge with Sydney.
On the International stage, Maloney has represented Australia on three occasions scoring two tries. Maloney was part of the Kangaroos squad which won the 2016 Four Nations and 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
Combined Nations All Stars Head Coach Tim Sheens could look towards fellow Australian Maloney to guide his side on Friday 25June.
Josh Reynolds (Hull FC / Australia)
Another Australian making a name for himself in the Betfred Super League since his arrival is Hull FC halfback Josh Reynolds who joined the club in the off-season.
Reynolds arrived following three seasons with Wests Tigers, but it was with Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs with whom the 32-year-old became a household name. Reynolds made over 150 appearances for the Bulldogs between 2011 and 2017, including two NRL Grand Final defeats in 2012 and 2014.
Since arriving at the KCOM Stadium, Reynolds has made two appearances in the Betfred Super League scoring three tries against Huddersfield Giants and Salford Red Devils.
Reynolds – who has previously represented New South Wales in the State of Origin - could add a lot of experience in the halves for the Combined Nations All Stars.
Tui Lolohea (Salford Red Devils / Tonga)
Tui Lolohea’s career in the United Kingdom began slowly with Leeds Rhinos but since his move to the AJ Bell Stadium he has helped Salford Red Devils to their first-ever Betfred Super League Grand Final and a Wembley Stadium appearance in the 2020 Challenge Cup Final.
Lolohea has previously played for New Zealand Warriors and Wests Tigers Down Under and has plenty of international experience with 12 Tonga caps to his name.
The 26-year-old was a try-scorer for Tonga in the memorable Rugby League World Cup Semi-Final defeat to England back in 2017 and he also played against Great Britain for a Tongan Invitational XIII defeating the Lions 14-6.
Combined Nations All Stars Head Coach Tim Sheens could turn to Lolohea who has proven he can trouble England on the international stage previously.
Blake Wallace (Leigh Centurions / Australia)
Another option for Tim Sheens could be Leigh Centurions halfback Blake Wallace who joined the newly promoted side ahead of the 2021 season.
Wallace moved from the Illawarra Cutters to become an inaugural member of the Toronto Wolfpack side in 2017 and would help the club earn promotion from both Betfred League 1 and the Betfred Championship.
The 28-year-old signed for Leigh Centurions ahead of their return to the Betfred Super League and has featured in defeats to Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves in recent weeks.
Wallace could be in with an outside chance of lining up for the Combined Nations All Stars.
Get your tickets to watch England face the Combined Nations All Stars at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Friday 25 June here.
