DARYL Clark and Stefan Ratchford’s return to the England squad is “richly deserved” after superb years with their club, Wolves head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith says.

Both featured from the bench in Saturday’s 40-6 win over France in Avignon, with Clark crossing for a first-half try..

Clark toured Australia and New Zealand with England in 2014 after a stellar breakthrough year with Castleford saw him pick up the Man of Steel prize.

However, injuries and a dip in form during his first season at The Halliwell Jones Stadium last year saw him dropped from the squad for the series win over New Zealand but Smith says his recall is testament to his improvement in 2016.

He also spoke of his excitement at the prospect of skipper Chris Hill linking up with new signing Mike Cooper in the England front row.

“Daryl had to settle into a new place last year and had some injury problems but I still thought he did a pretty good job,” he said.

“This year though he has been fantastic and has emerged as one of our key men. He’s formed part of a very formidable front row for us.

“It will be exciting for the fans and myself if Chris and Mike can get on at the same time for England. We all know what both can do.

“If we add Mike to the likes of Chris and Ashton Sims it makes for a pretty strong front row for next year.”

Ratchford must go back to 2012 for his one and only appearance in the English white jersey, when he featured in a game against The Exiles in the International Origin Series.

However, as those games did not count as full internationals, the former Salford man was still technically uncapped before Saturday’s Test match.

Smith expressed his delight for the utility back and backed him to make an impact during the international season.

“I spoke to Stefan after he was told about the call-up and I’m absolutely thrilled for him,” he said.

“It’s richly deserved as well, he’s been one of our most consistent performers over the past year and even beyond that.

“He’s spent most of the year at full-back but what strikes me most about him is you get exactly the same from him wherever you ask him to play.

“That’s what makes him valuable for us and I’m sure that will be the case for England too.”