England may find a future international star in an unexpected place this weekend as Australian champions Melbourne Storm warm up for the Gillette World Club Challenge.

© Melbourne Storm

Widdop is a star of the future according to former Storm assistant coach Michael Maguire

The NRL premiers step up their preparations for next week’s showpiece clash against Leeds Rhinos by taking on Harlequins RL in a friendly at Twickenham Stoop on Sunday.

Included in their side will be young English full-back Gareth Widdop, who has come through the junior ranks at the Storm after emigrating to Australia with his family four years ago.

As understudy to Australia international Billy Slater, the 20-year-old is yet to feature at first-grade level Down Under but on Sunday will be playing for a spot on the bench for the clash with the Rhinos.

New Wigan Warriors coach Michael Maguire, an assistant at the Storm until last year, believes Widdop, originally from Halifax, has a bright future.

Maguire said: “He is a young kid that is coming through and performed very well.

“He has been under a very good teacher in Billy Slater; he really helps out the young boys. Gareth is probably behind one of the best in the world.

“He has definitely got that bit of X factor about him. He is quick and very comfortable under a high ball. He is very consistent at what he does.”

The Melbourne side, who face Leeds at Elland Road a week on Sunday, are due to head north early next week and will attend Wigan’s Engage Super League match against Catalans Dragons on Friday.

Maguire added that he may even make a cheeky attempt to lure Widdop to the DW Stadium.

“He is an Englishman so I imagine he would like to come over here and play,” Maguire said. “He’s a kid I imagine has spent some time around Wigan so I’d like to see him come back with us some time.”

Golden Boot winner Greg Inglis will be on the bench on Sunday, with Storm coach Craig Bellamy planning to give the centre a 10-20 minute spell to test a hip injury.

The only absentees will be Slater, Cameron Smith and Adam Blair, who followed on from the main party and only arrived in London today.

London youngster Ben Bolger will continue his fairytale start to his career by facing the NRL champions just three weeks after making his Super League debut for Quins.

The 20-year-old back rower said: “It’s all a bit surreal still. A few months ago I didn’t even know I’d be training with the first team, now I’ve made my Super League debut and I’m loving every minute of it.

“The Melbourne Storm squad is full of talented and amazing players. They’re like the Barcelona of rugby league. If I get the opportunity to play against them on Sunday it will be the best moment of my life.”