WARRINGTON Wolves and England try machine Matty Ashton says he is living the dream as a rugby league professional, but feels there is more to come from him yet.

The 26-year-old’s plan is to keep getting bigger and stronger to maintain his place among the sport’s leading wingers so that he can continue to stake his claim in representing The Wire and his country with pride.

Two tries in the 34-18 win against Samoa on Sunday, three in the series win against Tonga last year and a stunning return of 32 in 29 Wire matches this season show he is already every opposition’s worst nightmare as a lethal finisher.

But carrying the ball away from his own try line, taking on bruising forwards down the middle, is trademark territory in which he also threatens defences and catches the eye, which he did against Samoa.

“I think you can see I’ve put on a bit of size since last year,” said Ashton, who was selected in this year’s Super League Dream Team for the first time.

“I’m manning up a bit more now and I think I’ve got a lot more growing in my body to take myself to the next level.

“I’ve just got to keep going now and keep improving.

“Nobody’s ever said it to me (about getting bigger). That’s me knowing what I need to do to get to the next step.

“Wingers are big athletes now, and the stronger you are in the back field is a big element of a winger’s game now so the better you are at that the more opportunities you’re going to get.

“I was just looking at my own game and seeing where I can get better. I’ve just got to stick with it, keep being confident that results come off the back of it.

“As a winger a lot of it is carrying the ball out of yardage now. That’s something I’ve been really working on, just running in as hard as I can and seeing what happens.”

His attitude in approaching games is a coach’s dream.

“I just want to come off the pitch with no regrets and know I’ve given my all,” said Ashton, who has just completed his fifth season in Warrington colours after being signed from Championship club Swinton Lions.

“Errors will be made but if I can look in the mirror and say I’ve done all I can, I’m happy with myself.”

Ashton hopes to keep his place in the England side for Saturday’s second Test against Samoa at Headingley, kick-off 2.30pm, before taking a well-earned rest in preparation for trophy hunting with The Wire again in 2025 and pushing his claims for an end-of-year Ashes spot against Australia in a three-Test series which looks like it will be switched to England shores instead of Down Under.

The Wire flyer did pick up a minor injury in the first Test, as did fellow winger Dom Young, so with Super League’s 2020 leading try scorer Liam Marshall from Wigan eager to get a call-up there will be keen eyes on Thursday’s squad selection from a Wire point of view.

Ashton certainly wants to be on the field again to finish what he has started on end-of-season international duty, while also continuing to work on the new combination he had with Australia’s Dally M Centre of the Year award winner Herbie Farnworth from NRL side the Dolphins.

“It was a really enjoyable game to be a part of last week,” said Ashton.

“It was a great atmosphere and it’s always a proud moment representing your country. I’m glad we got the win but we’ve got one more to go.

“We’d only had two or three training sessions together. There's a lot of new combinations. I’d never played with Herbie and it’s the same down the right side.

“As soon as we start clicking even more we’ll score more points.

“You could see on Sunday just how good Herbie is. He’s a very skilful player and a pleasure to be able to take the pitch with him.

“It was nice that Shaun kept his faith in me. I know how much of a class act Marshy is and I’m sure he’ll be gutted he wasn’t playing Sunday.

“But I can’t really think too much about that. I’ve just got to think about my game and, if I’m selected, that’s all that matters.”

Like his Wire teammate George Williams had previously said, Ashton felt good getting back on the field again at the weekend following the heartbreaking 10-8 loss to Hull KR in the play-off semi-finals earlier this month.

“It took me a good few weeks to get over it, I was dying inside,” said Ashton.

“Obviously it was a tough night at Hull KR and I wanted to get back out there to feel the winning feeling again.”