John Bateman reveals England captaincy dream ahead of Test with France
Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2021 5:20 pm
The Wigan forward is one of the leading candidates to replace Sam Tomkins as skipper on Saturday
John Bateman insists he is still in the dark about whether he will get the chance to fulfil his childhood dream of captaining England this weekend.
England head to Perpignan this weekend for their one and only autumn international of 2021, as they take on Laurent Frayssinous' France on Saturday afternoon. Catalans fullback Sam Tomkins captained the side for the mid-season clash with the Combined Nations All Stars, but he is unavailable this weekend due to a knee injury.
That has left the door ajar for Shaun Wane to name a new captain, with Bateman among the leading contenders alongside the likes of St Helens half-back Jonny Lomax.
The Wigan forward stressed that he has not been given a hint from Wane about who will wear the armband, with assistant coach Paul Wellens saying the same on Tuesday morning.
But Bateman admitted it would be a proud moment if he was named captain of his country for the first time. "He's not said anything - he likes to keep his cards close to his chest does Shaun, doesn't he," Bateman laughed.
"But as long as I'm playing I'm really not fussed. Though it is 100 per cent what you dream of as a child, isn't it. It's a dream that you don't often think will come true, too. But if Shaun was to turn around and say that it would be amazing.
It wouldn't be bad for a lad from Bradford, would it? But it's one of those things, for now, I'm just happy to play. I'll see what he says, I guess."
Bateman also admits the chance to return to the field after a disappointing end to his first season back with Wigan adds extra personal incentive to Saturday's trip across the Channel.
"It's good to get out there again," he said. "It wasn't the best year for us as a team, and I know it's funny for people if you're not involved with Wigan.
"But it's great to be back working with Waney again after being injured last time (against the All Stars). The aim wasn't to lose that game, and everything is all focussed on the World Cup. We thought it would be this year but these are important games for us."
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk ... l-21904289
John Bateman insists he is still in the dark about whether he will get the chance to fulfil his childhood dream of captaining England this weekend.
England head to Perpignan this weekend for their one and only autumn international of 2021, as they take on Laurent Frayssinous' France on Saturday afternoon. Catalans fullback Sam Tomkins captained the side for the mid-season clash with the Combined Nations All Stars, but he is unavailable this weekend due to a knee injury.
That has left the door ajar for Shaun Wane to name a new captain, with Bateman among the leading contenders alongside the likes of St Helens half-back Jonny Lomax.
The Wigan forward stressed that he has not been given a hint from Wane about who will wear the armband, with assistant coach Paul Wellens saying the same on Tuesday morning.
But Bateman admitted it would be a proud moment if he was named captain of his country for the first time. "He's not said anything - he likes to keep his cards close to his chest does Shaun, doesn't he," Bateman laughed.
"But as long as I'm playing I'm really not fussed. Though it is 100 per cent what you dream of as a child, isn't it. It's a dream that you don't often think will come true, too. But if Shaun was to turn around and say that it would be amazing.
It wouldn't be bad for a lad from Bradford, would it? But it's one of those things, for now, I'm just happy to play. I'll see what he says, I guess."
Bateman also admits the chance to return to the field after a disappointing end to his first season back with Wigan adds extra personal incentive to Saturday's trip across the Channel.
"It's good to get out there again," he said. "It wasn't the best year for us as a team, and I know it's funny for people if you're not involved with Wigan.
"But it's great to be back working with Waney again after being injured last time (against the All Stars). The aim wasn't to lose that game, and everything is all focussed on the World Cup. We thought it would be this year but these are important games for us."
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk ... l-21904289