ED-DING THE RIGHT WAY!
PAGES OF FANTASTIC START WITH RUGBY LEAGUE
ED CHAMBERLAIN hopes the luck of the Irish keeps rubbing off on him and
Widnes.
The 22-year-old outside back admits he found life tough last season after being shunted out on loan to Bradford and Workington. But Chamberlain says that a surprise call-up by Ireland for the World Cup at the end of last year has done wonders for him. He’s taken that boost into this campaign, starting the last four games, and is determined to now hang on to his shirt. He said: “It was probably the best thing that could have happened to ® me. I hadn’t played much last year and my confidence was low.
“Having not played many games and then at 21 being asked to play in a World Cup, in my preferred position, was incredible.”
Chamberlain played centre for Ireland in their wins over Wales and Italy, as well as in their defeat to Papua New Guinea.
Widnes coach Denis Betts is using him on the wing but Chamberlain is just glad to be in after only playing four Vikings games last year.
Return
He added: “It’s been good to get a decent run-out.
“I don’t want to give anyone a reason to swap me out, whether people return from injuries or if I have a poor performance.”
Widnes lie eighth, with two wins from six, the same return as tonight’s opponents Salford.
The Red Devils’ surprise 24-8 win at home to Hull on Friday came on the back of selling key player Gareth O’Brien to Toronto.
But Betts said: “They seem to have always been able to fight through that adversity.
“Their coach does a fantastic job and doesn’t get enough credit for how tough it has been there.”