Eastmond has been in flying form for St Helens this term

St Helens scrum-half Kyle Eastmond has been ruled out of England's mid-season international against France on 12 June after suffering ankle ligament damage.

The 20-year-old went over on his ankle in Saints' 32-12 Challenge Cup quarter-final win over Barrow last Sunday.

Scans have revealed he will be out of action for around a month.

Eastmond, who is second in this season's scoring charts with 13 tries and 69 goals, is likely to be replaced by Leeds half-back Danny McGuire.

But England boss Steve McNamara said he wanted Eastmond to remain with the squad in the build-up to the game.

McNamara said: "The England medical team have a great relationship with the St Helens staff and we will be working closely with them over the next few days to monitor Kyle Eastmond's condition.

"We are keen for Kyle to remain part of the squad as we prepare for the international and we will make an announcement later in the week."

Eastmond's injury is also a blow to St Helens, who face a crunch Super League match against Sean Long's Hull on Friday.

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One man very much in contention for an England role against France is Gareth Widdop, the Melbourne Storm rookie called into the squad for the first time by Steve McNamara.

The 21-year-old was one of three uncapped players named in the squad - and, despite qualifying for Australia on residency grounds, he insists England always had first call on his services.

Widdop, who is taking out dual-citizenship after settling in Melbourne, said: "It was a bit of a shock when Steve McNamara called me a couple of weeks ago.

"He said he'd been watching my progress and asked if I was interested in playing for England. I told him it would be a privilege and a dream come true.

Hopefully, I can be involved in the team against France and then, at the end of the year, play my way into selection for the Four Nations Kyle Eastmond

"I get my dual-citizenship soon which would qualify me to play for Australia but England was always going to come first. I can't wait to be involved and would love to play against France."

Although he has made only two first-grade appearances, Widdop insists he is ready to make his international debut.

"I know some people will say it's all a bit soon because I haven't had a lot of first grade experience in the NRL but I have confidence in what I can do," he said. "I'm learning all the time at Melbourne.

"Things have worked out well for me. Hopefully, I can be involved in the team against France and then, at the end of the year, play my way into selection for the Four Nations. That would be unreal.

"To play for the country of your birth is brilliant, to play against your adopted country as well would be amazing."

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