BIG Alex Walmsley’s storming performances since Super League got back up and running have not gone unnoticed.

England boss Shaun Wane has been so impressed with the way the rampaging Saints front rower has adapted to the new rules that he took the rare step of ringing him up to tell him.

Although there is huge competition for front row spots in the England side, on current form Walmsley’s name would be on that team-sheet.

Wane, who will lead the national side into next year’s Rugby League World Cup in England, said: “I phoned him the other day, and I don’t make many phone calls like that.

“But I told him I was impressed.

“The new rules, I thought could have broken him – but he has relished it. He has carried the ball strongly and he is doing the things I want him to do.

“If I was picking the team today he would be in it and I told him that.”

The former Wigan boss, who is a former member of the front row union himself, was in the stands the last Saints game against Castleford in which Big Al’s performance earned him maximum Steve Prescott Man of Steel points to lift him up to sixth on the leader board.

“I have been very impressed with him, but there’s a massive improvement in him as well.

“I genuinely think he can make lots of improvements,” Wane said.