Joe has got tattoo much pride

JOE PHILBIN insists he’s flying the England flag with pride – even though he sports an Irish tattoo. The Warrington star has been copping stick off his England Knights team-mates for the Gaelic quote he has around his ankle. Philbin (left), who starred for Ireland in last year’s World Cup, enjoys rolling his sock down to wind them up even further. But he admits he’s now ready to have the same saying – ‘No Strength Without Unity’ – tattooed in English around his other ankle. He said: “I wear the tattoo with pride because I was very proud to represent Ireland.

“My dad’s family are Irish but I was born in Warrington and I’m also very proud to be on this England Knights tour to Papua New Guinea.

“It’s in the rules that I can play for both countries and I’m honoured to do that. I might get the same tattoo in English now.”

The Knights have flown out for a two-Test Series against the Kumuls in Papua New Guinea.

Conditions will be hostile, with league the national sport there, and players will not be allowed much freedom due to the high crime rate.

But Philbin, who is the only Knights player who has played there before, insists that it is an experience not to be missed.

He was there in last year’s World Cup with Ireland and said: “It was absolutely mental.

“We had to have armoured cars take us everywhere and fans would race after you, but it was one of the best experiences of my life.

“Everyone says you must be mad to want to go back but I loved it.’’