WARRINGTON Wolves utility man Stefan Ratchford is hoping his time has come in an England shirt.

The 26-year-old has been around the England scene for six seasons and is determined his first cap will come over the next four weeks during the Four Nations tournament.

When still at Salford, Ratchford was named by then England coach Tony Smith – now his boss at Wolves – in the train-on squad for the 2009 end-of-season internationals. But he missed the cut.

For two years Ratchford figured in the England Knights, a representative team for players on the fringe of senior call-ups, and was selected in the national side’s clash with the Exiles in 2012.

But that friendly in Steve McNamara’s team against the cream of Super League’s overseas talent did not count for a cap, and although he was on board for the camp in South Africa at the end of the domestic season his services were not called upon for the autumn internationals.

Then when he was named in the 30-man England Elite Training Squad in 2013, he was overlooked for the mid-season International Origin match against the Exiles before serious injury in the Grand Final loss to Wigan at Old Trafford ruled out any hopes of playing in last winter’s world cup.

“It has been a bit frustrating and disappointing over the past few years not gaining the final selection,” said Ratchford, who has missed out on the 17 for the opening Four Nations clash with Samoa at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday.

“I’m well aware of the quality of players in front of me. Each week there’s going to be six or seven players who are used to playing – some who are probably first names on team sheets at their clubs – that won’t be playing.

“To get the chance to earn a first cap against Australia or New Zealand would be a momentous occasion for me.

“Being on tour feels special and I’ve just got to make the most of this opportunity. Rip into training, train as hard as I can, take all the experiences on board and try to learn from the players around me.

“Hopefully, without looking too far ahead, I can take a lot out of it and come back as a better player with Warrington next year.”

Ratchford, having played every position except prop for Wolves at some stage during 2014, provides McNamara with versatility.

He did not turn professional from Wigan St Patricks expecting to join the big boys in the pack but his work rate, elusive running and eye for a pass have been utilised down the middle as an extra forward in primrose and blue at times this year.

“The pack was one of the places I was trying to avoid, some of them lads aren’t the best looking,” he joked.

“To be able to cover a few positions is probably one of the reasons I’m over here.

“I spoke to Steve about it at one of the England camps last year and he said it was a good thing that I can cover a few positions.”

Ratchford, who also has the goal-kicking string to his bow, appears to be competing with Sam Tomkins and Zak Hardaker for the full-back berth, Hardaker, Dan Sarginson, Michael Shenton and Kallum Watkins in the centres, and Gareth Widdop, Matty Smith and Tomkins in the halves.

He added: “It can be hard if you change position every week or every couple of weeks to get some consistency in a position but I enjoy it. It’s one of the things I’ve done all my career and I’m used to it so it’s not too much of a problem for me.

“My view is if you’re selected be thankful that you’re in the team and playing, so crack on with it.”