Rugby League World Cup: Salford’s Kallum Watkins, Marc Sneyd, Andy Ackers aim for glory

Ackers has taken the long route on his journey to England recognition, starting off by playing part-time at Swinton Lions before moving down south to London Broncos.

Then came a stint across the Atlantic with Toronto Wolfpack, who gained promotion from the Championship but folded six games into the 2020 season because of financial issues.

The move to Salford followed, where he has flourished, as the side finished sixth in the table this term and were agonisingly beaten in the play-off semi-final by eventual winners St Helens.

The retirement of James Roby and injury to Josh Hodgson has meant Ackers has become the leading contender for the number nine shirt in Shane Wane’s side for the World Cup.

“It’s always been a goal of mine to get in this England squad,” says Ackers, who made his Super League debut at 26. “I am just fortunate this year to hit a bit of form, the proof is in the pudding.

“Shaun has given me an opportunity here to deliver my qualities to this squad so hopefully I can deliver that. It’s just an overwhelming moment.

“I think I cried like a baby for around three days after Shaun gave me the phone call, that just shows how much it means to me.”

Wigan-born Ackers, 28, was rejected by his home town club, as well as Warrington, and admits some harsh lessons from his father put him on the path to reaching the top.

“I was working on building site with my dad,” Ackers says on the early setbacks in his career. “I think he took me there on purpose to show me that I didn’t want to go down that route and that’s no disrespect to anyone working on a building site, but it just wasn’t for me. It made me even hungrier.

“It has always been in my mind about what a dream it would be to play for England, it’s up there with the feeling of having my son being brought into the world.

“When I do put the England jersey on I will be bursting with pride and I will give it my all.”