It may not have been the ideal way to finish his return with Souths, but fullback Lachlan Walmsley looks forward to linking up with Championship club Whitehaven and retracing his Scottish family heritage to a potential World Cup berth.
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The 22-year-old, who came back to Newcastle Rugby League in 2020 after a NSW Cup stint with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, was part of the Lions' squad beaten 20-6 by Cessnock in Sunday's grand final at Maitland Sportsground.
Walmsley, an Upper Hunter product, was the leading try scorer in 2018 when Souths claimed the title.
He now has a month off before departing for the UK and joining the Marras as organisers of the competition, one tier below English Super League, look to arrange season start dates amid the most recent coronavirus outbreak.
Beyond that Walmsley hopes to crack a spot with the Bravehearts at the 2021 international tournament, scheduled for England from October 23, courtesy of a Scottish grandfather who originally moved Down Under as a "10 pound Pom".
"I can't wait to get over there and I'd love to make that World Cup side," he said.
Lakes forward Nick Glohe has already helped Scotland qualify for next year's World Cup. Cessnock utility Robert Tuliatu and Central front-rower Uti Baker did similar jobs with Greece and Cook Islands respectively.
The likes of Jarred Anderson (Scotland), James Elias (Lebanon), Matt Shipway (USA), Jack Johns (Italy) and Mark Kheirallah (France) represented various nations at the previous World Cup in Australia in 2017.
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