I want to get f lying start
JAMES ROBY has warned England rival Josh Hodgson to prepare for a scrap in the battle to be first-choice hooker at the World Cup.
St Helens stalwart Roby has rediscovered his best form this season and been rewarded with his first national call-up since 2015. He was picked ahead of Warrington’s Daryl Clark, Castleford’s Paul McShane and Hull’s Danny Houghton in Wayne Bennett’s 24-man squad.
Canberra Raiders star Hodgson has emerged as an automatic pick under Bennett and his predecessor Steve McNamara. But Roby, 31, who made his international debut 11 years ago, said: “I’m aware of the competition for places at hooker but I want to play.
“That fierce competition actually makes my selection a bit sweeter and will spur me on to do well in the World Cup. Josh is playing very well in the NRL but I will be doing everything I can to stake my claim.”
Roby has happy memories of being in the last Great Britain team to beat Australia in 2006. And he is keen to take what could be his “last chance” of playing against the Kangaroos in Australia with both hands when the sides lock horns in the opening game in Melbourne on October 27.
Roby, who flew out with the rest of the squad to Perth yesterday, added: “If we can get off to a winning start that would be tremendous, not just to get one over them but to boost us in the group standings and moving into the quarters.” THE SCOUT