KURT Haggerty has welcomed Nathan Peats’ selection for Tim Sheens’ Combined Nations All Stars even though it further depleted his squad to face Warrington.

Haggerty named just 18 players for this season’s first Super League meeting with Steve Price’s side at the Halliwell Jones Stadium tonight. (Thursday) Peats will be in action at the same stadium 24 hours later as Shaun Wane takes charge of England for the first time since his appointment in February 2020.

The 30-year-old hooker, who represented New South Wales on three occasions, now lines up alongside a trio of players: Jake Connor, Chris Satae and hat-trick man Andre Savelio who helped Hull to last Saturday’s 64-22 win over Centurions at Leigh Sports Village.

“It is exciting for Nathan,” said Haggerty of the ex-South Sydney, Parramatta Eels and Gold Coast Titans star.

“We had a chat earlier in the week and it is a great opportunity for him to go and get some more minutes under his belt in what I am sure will be a fantastic occasion.

“He is a good player and a proud player too. He came over to us without his family but they have just got here now so that will help him.

“We are not playing well and we are not quite getting those wins. So, when you take everything into account it becomes difficult.

“But he has been good around the place and been very professional. And we still have 18 who are ready to play so we will deal with what we have got.”

Leigh welcome back Jordan Thompson into the pack but are again without Covid sufferer, Brendan Elliot for a second successive game. Welsh pack ace Ben Flower is a fortnight away from consideration as he recovers from hamstring trouble.

Reflecting on Leigh’s 12-try hiding by Hull Haggerty said: “They are an honest bunch of blokes and are fully aware of what they did and didn’t do.

“They have been great in how they have handled it and reviewed the game.

“They have held themselves accountability for the performance we dealt against Hull.”

Five Warrington players are in England’s squad: Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Stefan Ratchford, Joe Philbin and Ben Currie.

“Warrington have a good team and are missing some personnel, but we have hardly focused on Warrington this week,” said Haggerty.

“We are not too interested in what team they have and what personnel they have or haven’t got.

“They know what we need to fix up and I am sure we will put in a much better performance to go and help beat Warrington.”