BLAKE Austin has outlined his desire to play for England during his spell with Warrington Wolves.

The stand-off – The Wire’s marquee signing for 2019 – qualifies through his maternal grandmother, who was born in Middlesex.

Rumours first started to surface that Austin was considering pledging his allegiance to England two years ago, when current national team head coach Wayne Bennett first took over.

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However, now he has moved to Super League and with a Rugby League World Cup on these shores to come in 2021, the 27-year-old says he will look at the idea of donning the white jersey more closely.

“It’s something I will definitely pursue,” he told the Guardian.

“I wouldn’t want to disrespect anyone and it’s obviously up to the powers that be to see if I’m someone they would be interested in.

“Now that I’m here, I definitely want to settle in, will change allegiance and go from there.

“My nan was born here. She’s been in Australia for a very long time but she hasn’t quite shaken the English accent.

“She considers herself an Aussie, but she was born here and will always be English.

“She’s pretty footy-mad as well. She’ll tell you stories about lining up for Grand Final tickets in the 80s.”

Despite winning the Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year award in a stellar 2015 season with Canberra Raiders, Austin missed out on selection for New South Wales’ State of Origin team and the Australian national side.

However, he played international rugby league for Portugal as a teenager in the Australian Mediterranean Shield in Sydney.

Austin explained how he managed to feature despite having no Portuguese heritage.

“My dad knew the Portugal coach and they invited me down for a game. I was 16 and I was never going to turn down a game of footy.

“I turned out to be one of their better players and they kept inviting me back.

“If the blonde hair and pale skin didn’t give it away, I’m definitely not Portuguese!

“I’ve no doubt that those experiences helped me get where I am today.

“I was only 16 but was playing against fully-grown men. It really kickstarted things for me.”

Austin is part of an influx of high-quality talent to be debuting in Super League in 2019, with the likes of Trent Merrin, Kevin Naiqama and Konrad Hurrell all signing for English clubs during the off-season.

The Wire’s marquee man hopes he can be part of removing the “stigma” that Super League is no match for the NRL.

“I’ve always had a desire to come over, but six months ago I didn’t think Super League was going to be for me at this time.

“I’ve never been afraid to do things a little bit differently.

“There’s an unwritten law that you do all you can in Australia then give England a go.

“It’s great to see the influx we’re going to have for next year. It’s going to make for a much stronger competition.

“Whether that’s the start of a common trend remains to be seen.

“There’s a bit of a stigma that the NRL is the be all and end all, but that’s not necessarily the case.”