Francis Cummins has paid tribute to Jarrod Sammut, Heath L’Estrange and Manase Manuokafoa following their inclusion in the Exiles squad ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Warrington.

The trio have earned call-ups in the wake of impressive early-season form which has helped the Bulls to emerge as a force to be reckoned with.

Eyebrows were raised at the omission of free-scoring full back Brett Kearney, who began the campaign in blistering form and has ten tries to his name already.

But Cummins is delighted that three of his players have been named in Brian McClennan’s 27-man squad for the International Origin Match against England at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Friday, June 14.

The Bulls boss said: “I think Brett Kearney can feel a bit aggrieved but they name the captain before the team and Brett Hodgson looks certain to play, with him being skipper and the game being at Warrington.

“But we’ve got three lads in the squad, which is good for the players involved and good for the club as well. Hopefully they can be involved in the 17 that play against England in June.”

Joint-Bulls skipper L’Estrange helped the Exiles to victory against Steve McNamara’s side at Huddersfield last season and his inclusion again was no surprise. But Sammut and Manuokafoa’s call-ups underlined their progress since joining the Bulls last season.

Sammut, in particular, endured a stop-start campaign in 2012 after a couple of injury setbacks but has emerged as one of the most dangerous players in Super League this year.

Manuokafoa has similarly reached new heights after signing a new two-year deal during the off-season.

Cummins said: “I spoke to Nas during the off-season and getting into the Exiles was a goal of his. He’s nearly realised that goal, so that’s good.

“Jarrod has come up with some great performances and all three players will probably be the first to say that their team-mates have helped put them in this position.

“The Exiles call-up won’t be at the forefront of the minds of Heath, Jarrod and Nas tomorrow but it’s a nice feeling for them to play at Warrington this weekend knowing they’ve been called up.

“I remember myself getting called up for representative teams and it does give you confidence as a player.”

Ben Evans looks certain to make his Super League debut against his parent club after being named in the Bulls’ 19-man squad for this weekend’s clash.

The 20-year-old Wales forward, who is on a season-long loan at the Provident Stadium, is poised to feature with Jamie Langley absent due to a hamstring strain.

Cummins has also recalled Kearney, Elliot Kear, Matt Diskin and Nick Scruton after they were rested during last weekend’s Tetley’s Challenge Cup win at Rochdale.

Matty Blythe remains sidelined with a back injury and Jamie Foster begins a lengthy spell on the sidelines after sustaining a ruptured pectoral muscle at Spotland last week.

Cummins is looking forward to crossing swords with his former mentor and Wolves coach Tony Smith, who he played and worked under at Leeds.

The Bulls coach said: “Tony Smith has been a big influence on my career. As a player he put the finishing touches to me and to Leeds and took them up a level – but also when I retired and got the opportunity to coach with him and Brian McDermott.

“It was a great apprenticeship, not only in rugby league but also in how to manage people.

“Things like how you influence people and make them better and how to invest in you. I am indebted to the time I spent there under Tony.

“I steal things from everyone and I know I am still using things I got from him and other coaches.”

Cummins is wary of the threat posed by Smith’s star-studded side, who have lifted the Challenge Cup three times in the past four seasons.

“I’m just looking forward to coming up against another of the perceived top sides,” he said.

“We know we need to bring our best game out because we didn’t against Wigan and we didn’t against Saints. We have to be at our best.”

* Super League referees will be made publicly accountable for their decision-making on Twitter following the launch of a new league-approved initiative.

The Rugby Football League have announced that fans will be able to forward questions to referees on a newly-created @RFLReferees account.

A selected league official will then respond on the Tuesday after the weekend’s fixtures, in what the league have described as “the first time in sporting history that fans will have direct-level access to referees”.