TOP OF THE PROPS

Greenwood told: Don’t think, just play!

JOE GREENWOOD revealed England’s prop idols told him how to deal with his international debut tomorrow – do not think.

The Wigan back rower will cap a remarkable six months when he plays in the third Test against New Zealand, having returned early from Gold Coast Titans to lift a Super League title.

He will be on the bench at Elland Road and come on in the unfamiliar position of prop, with his international team-mates advising him success rests on keeping it simple.

“All the forwards have taken me under their wing and told me where I need to be,” said Greenwood.

“They said just to stay in the middle of the park and the ball will come to me, you don’t have to follow the ball.

“If you do you’ll use so much energy you’ll be knackered after two minutes. They told me just to act like a prop. I asked how props act, and they said, ‘Don’t think’.

“I thought, ‘OK, that’s easy enough’. “You have to be more clued up as a back rower because you have the outside backs there with a bit of pace, you have to use a bit of knowledge to find the weakest one or a bit of space. “With props basically they said just cart the ball up, win your play-theballs and make your tackles.” Greenwood says skipper James Graham (left) has been a particular influence this week as England look to complete a series whitewash. He added: “Jammer’s getting close to his half century of caps and I’ll be making my debut lining up with him.

“He’s been helping me out with little extras and where I need to be on different plays on the field as a prop – I’m getting there now.”