Hull FC: Joe Westerman must match Bradford performance to reach England goals

JOE Westerman has been challenged to match the standard of his performance at Bradford Bulls on a regular basis to improve his England chances.

The Hull FC back-row forward, who was this week named in the England Knights squad, gave a season-best display at Odsal last weekend.

The 22-year-old's first-half display in particular was instrumental in helping Hull establish a commanding position from which they went on to become runaway winners.

Westerman has ambitions of establishing himself in Steve McNamara's Elite Training Squad ahead of next year's World Cup.

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It's a challenge Hull assistant coach Andy Hay is positive he can meet, but Hay says Westerman has to produce his best more consistently.

"Last week was Joe's best performance of the year," Hay told the Mail.

"I think he'll get better and better out there in the back-row, but it is down to him to push on now. If he wants to talk about England, that is the sort of performance he has to come up with week in and week out."

Hay knows Westerman well after seeing the then teenager come up through the ranks at Castleford when he was assistant coach there.

The ex-Tigers player endured a difficult start to the season after dislocating his shoulder in the opening home game against London Broncos.

After three months on the sidelines he returned in May and has missed just one further game all season.

Switched from the loose-forward role he began the season in to a wide running second-rower, he's improved as the campaign has progressed, culminating in last week's display at Bradford.

Hay believes being switched between roles because of injuries has not helped Westerman, but he's full of praise for the way the player has responded and the natural talent he has to offer.

"He started the season looking really good but got injured. He's had some up and down games and not been happy with his own performances, but he really stood up at Bradford," added Hay.

"He ran some great lines and that's how he used to play as a kid and how he can play. He's had to deal with going from the back-row to playing in the middle, then to the back-row again because of the injuries.

"He's adjusted to it really well, he's worked on his defence and his attack is great.

"He's a very smart player, he knows how to get through defences and that's a good thing to have when you are an attacking player out wide."

OLYMPIC gold medal-winning boxer Luke Campbell will be a special guest of the Black and Whites at tomorrow's game, delivering the match ball before kick-off.

The heritage themed match will also see East Yorkshire's Hot Gospel choir provide a special rendition of the club anthem 'Old Faithful' as the club's supporters who have sadly passed away over the past 12 months are remembered.