Salford coach Ian Watson says halfback Jackson Hastings should be picked for England after he helped the Red Devils secure their Super League status with a 44-10 win over Toulouse.
Watson's men had put themselves in jeopardy after suffering back-to-back defeats by Leeds and London Broncos while Hastings served a two-match ban for a high tackle.
But the 22-year-old Australian, who has an English grandmother, produced another accomplished performance to make it six wins from six matches for himself in a Salford shirt.
Hastings arrived at Salford after a controversial NRL career, that culminated in a reported falling out with his Manly teammates.
He spent most of the season playing in the NRL's second-tier competition before joining Salford in July.
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"He's an NRL player and as good a one as I've seen over here," Watson said.
"I know he qualifies for England and I'd be knocking on Wayne Bennett's door and saying he's worth a shot.
"You can see the difference he makes to our team. He's brought a new dimension to our team.
"Niall (Evalds) looks like an England international playing behind him."
Salford's win, which spares them the prospect of fighting for their Super League lives, brought to an end Hastings' short-term stint with the club.
Watson is hoping the jubilant reception he received from the fans after the match will help persuade him to stay.
"I hope with us getting the win tonight, he will decide this is the place for him," Watson said.
"The spectators have taken to him and, with the amount of love at the end of the game, I would think it would be tough for him to go anywhere else."
