Last updated on .From the section Rugby League

'Barnstorming' Walmsley key to Saints

St Helens prop Alex Walmsley has played himself into England contention, says fellow front-rower Jamie Peacock.

Peacock, who played a total of 48 games for England and Great Britain before his international retirement in 2011, believes Walmsley can make an impact.

Former Batley front-rower Walmsley helped Saints to Super League title success under Nathan Brown in 2014.

"He's going to be there or thereabouts for England at the end of the year," Peacock told BBC's Super League Show.

"He could do a real job coming on off the bench for 15-minute spells."

There is a wealth of talent in England's front-row set-up, with James Graham at Canterbury, South Sydney's Burgess brothers Thomas and George, Warrington's Chris Hill and Lee Mossop at Wigan among those competing for a spot.

Both Kyle Amor (left) and Alex Walmsley (right) came to Super League from the Championship

Walmsley's journey, from Dewsbury Celtic amateur to Grand Final winner, was made more significant by his route to the top, taking in a spell under John Kear at Batley.

It is a similar story to another breakthrough player in Hill, whose move to Warrington from Leigh was followed by a Challenge Cup winners' medal, a place in the Super League Dream Team, a player of the year award and England honours within one season.

"I'm really pleased for him because he's been pulled out of the Championship division," said Peacock.

"Speaking to Jon Wilkin, he's got that desire to make it, to train hard and he wants it more than anyone else."

Warrington coach Tony Smith brought Hill to the Halliwell Jones Stadium, and also signed Kevin Penny back from Swinton after impressive performances outside the top tier.

"There's some boys coming through, we've got one in Anthony England [from Featherstone]," he said.

"It's good because people aren't giving in just because they're not getting picked up [by Super League clubs] in the first place."

You can see every try from every round on the BBC's Super League Show, which is available on the BBC iPlayer.