Wollongong-born Salford halfback Jackson Hastings is open to representing Great Britain after enjoying a breakthrough Super League season.
The 23-year-old, who headed to the UK after stint at the Roosters and Manly is eligible to play for Great Britain through his English grandmother.
The newly-crowned Super League Man of Steel is in contention for a spot on the Lions tour to New Zealand and Papua New Guinea and relishes the opportunity..
“It was a hard process (to qualify), you need certain documents and sign off on things that I had no idea about,” Hastings said.
“Once it all became known, it happened very quickly.”
Rugby Football League director of rugby Kevin Sinfield has confirmed Hastings is in contention for the 24-man squad that will be chosen after Saturday night’s Super League grand final, and announced on Monday.
“To get named in any representative team is special and, if I was lucky enough to get named in that Great Britain side, it would be a huge honour.
“It doesn’t come around too often and some of the greatest players to play this game have been on those tours.
“But I haven’t put much thought into it, all my focus has been on the finals.
“If I get picked, I’ll be extremely grateful, if not, I’ll go back to clubland and play the best footy I can.”
Hastings was not considered for the inaugural World Cup Nines because the squad flies to Sydney on Saturday morning and he says his sole focus is on helping the Red Devils overcome St Helens in the grand final.
“Obviously you miss out on the Nines but you get a chance to play in the grand final and this is the one you play for,” he said.
“This is the one you work all those long hours for, turn up to training when you don’t want to and things like that. It all culminates on Saturday night.”