MICHAEL Maguire insists Wigan’s England players can play for both club and country in just 24 hours.

Sean O’Loughlin, Joel and Sam Tomkins were named in Steve McNamara’s 19-man squad for the international against France at Leigh Sports Village at week tomorrow.

It was assumed the trio would miss Warriors’ Super League clash at Wakefield the following day.

But coach Maguire sees no reason why they can’t play twice in two days.

“If they’re okay, I’ll be looking to do that for sure,” said the Australian.

“That happens all the time in Australia. We had six players who played for Australia and then for us the next day and they all played very well.

“It can be done. We’ll just assess them after that (England) game and take it from there.”

Joel Tomkins is one of three uncapped players in the squad – and Maguire says the second row’s performances this season have justified his selection.

He added: “When I first came here Joel was a quiet kid and you could see how hard he worked at his game.

“He put a lot of size on in pres-season and is getting his reward for all his hard work. All three of them really. They’re quality kids who just want to learn and get batter and improve.”

The Warriors boss has also backed Melbourne’s full-back Gareth Widdop to shine for England.

The Halifax-born 21-year-old, who emigrated with his family to Australia when he was 16, was the surprise inclusion in McNamara’s first squad.

But Maguire, the former Storm assistant coach, is a big fan of the young star.

He said: “It’s a big call for a young guy to come in after playing only two first-grade games in Australia.

“But he’s a quality kid and definitely a star in the future.

“He’s had some pretty good players in front of him to learn from; there’s a little bit of Billy Slater in him and a bit of Cooper Cronk.

“I still keep in touch with people out in Australia and I’ve been told he’s the star kid in the under-20s.”

Wigan are weighing up whether to appeal Andy Coley’s one-match ban. The prop will miss Sunday’s home match with Castleford after being suspended by the Rugby Football League’s disciplinary committee for a dangerous throw on Brett Delaney in Saturday’s Challenge Cup defeat at Leeds.

Wigan chief executive, Mick Hogan, who has been with the club since September 2008, has left to take up a similar position in rugby union.

Chairman Ian Lenagan said: “We are disappointed that Mick has chosen to leave part way through the task he took on at Wigan but understand the financial attraction of reversing the fortunes of a rugby union club.”