Insider reveals England's stunning snub for Nathan Cleary in favour of 'rockstar' Reece Walsh

Reece Walsh's career-best year with the Broncos and now the Kangaroos has led many to suggest he's overtaken Nathan Cleary as the best player in rugby league. And the 23-year-old's new-found status has been reflected by the fan frenzy that has accompanied the Kangaroos fullback during the Ashes tour of England.

Wherever the Aussie squad has travelled in England, supporters have gathered in droves to greet the players, get autographs signed and pose for photos with the best players on the planet. But according to Channel 7’s Jelisa Apps - who is over in England covering the Ashes series - no player has garnered more attention than Walsh, who's frequently been mobbed by adoring fans.

The Australian fullback has always been generous with his time when it comes to fans and is clearly embracing the 'rockstar' reception he's been given around England. While Cleary has long been regarded as the best player in the game, the Panthers star has had to take a back seat during the Ashes series as 'Reecemania' has taken over.

Speaking on SEN radio, Apps says it's been eye-opening to witness the fact that Cleary 'doesn’t register over here at all' when it comes to league supporters in England. The four-time premiership winner is certainly not used to being snubbed by fans, but Walsh's popularity in the league world right now is undeniable.

'Rockstar' Reece Walsh sparking fan frenzy in England

“To me, on a football scale of things for me as a fan, the biggest player in the game is Nathan Cleary,” Apps said. “Nathan Cleary doesn’t register over here at all. I guess those people that are really diehard, yeah, he registers, but not with that rockstar kind of appeal.

“Reece is the rockstar over here, they were absolutely giving it (to him) when he got sin-binned at the end. And everyone was waiting around for Reece afterwards; it was so funny.

“Some people that met him were in tears and speaking to some of the fans, they said ‘we never thought that we’d get to meet him’. Reece takes it all in his stride, he doesn’t even care when they are giving it to him, he just sees that as promotion of the game.”

Walsh was facing a potential ban for the third Ashes Test after his sin-binning for a high shot on Dom Young in the Kangaroos' 14-4 victory in the second Test. But to the relief of supporters around the world (and no doubt Ashes organisers too), the Kangaroos fullback was cleared to play in next weekend's third and final Test at Headingley.

The international match review panel deemed the on-field penalty sufficient and announced that Walsh would face no further sanction. The International Rugby League (IRL) said in a statement on Monday night that they 'reviewed Saturday’s match and accepted all on-field decisions. Therefore no incidents have been deemed sufficient to warrant further action under the international rules in operation for this series'.

It leaves Walsh free to play the third Test, however, Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters has hinted that he could ring the changes with the Ashes series already wrapped up. Dylan Edwards could come in at fullback for Walsh, while the likes of Blayke Brailey, Ethan Strange, Mitchell Moses and Jacob Preston will also be hoping to get a run after being unused squad members so far in the series.

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"It would be nice to reward some of the guys," Walters said. "I feel it's been a great connection amongst all the group, particularly with our training and preparation... That's been a real positive. It would be nice to give some guys a reward."

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