Former Giant on England boss’s radar

ENGLAND coach Wayne Bennett is keeping tabs on his former Brisbane player Greg Eden after changing his opinion of the Castleford winger.

The 26-year-old ex-Giants ace was signed by the Broncos before the return of Bennett for his second spell with the Queensland club just over two years ago and spent the entire 2015 season with feeder club Wynnum Manly.

Eden, who began his Super League career with hometown club Castleford in 2011 before moving on to Huddersfield and Hull KR, eventually made his Brisbane debut under Bennett in the World Club Series against Wigan just over 12 months ago but went on to make just six other appearances before calling a halt to his NRL career.

However, Eden has revelled in his return to the Tigers, scoring eight tries in his first four matches to help them top the Betfred Super League table, a feat that has not gone unnoticed by the national coach even though he is 12,000 miles away.

“I’ve spoken to Wayne Bennett a few times and he’s always asked me how Greg Eden is going,” said Castleford coach Daryl Powell.

“He likes him. He’s changed his mind about what he thought of him.”

Eden, a full-back once dubbed England’s Billy Slater by then Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown, has demonstrated defensive solidity on the wing for the Tigers and showed his tremendous finishing ability to top the Super League tryscoring chart alongside teammate Greg Minikin.

Powell was especially impressed by Eden’s remarkable finish from centre Michael Shenton’s flick pass during his side’s 34-0 win at Widnes last Sunday and believes both his wingers could be pushing for World Cup spots by the end of the season.

“I do not know how he reeled in that pass from above his head last week, it was just ridiculous,” Powell added.

“His finishing has been great. He’s ridiculously skilful. People always talk about the other side of him but he’s not done anything much wrong with us. He’s lightning quick and strong and he’s a real competitor.

“For me he’s improving all the time. There will be a few options for England, there’s some really good wingers but if these two guys keep doing what they’re doing, they could be in with a shout.

“They’re going to get plenty of opportunities playing in this team so you’d think they’re going to be noticed a fair bit.”

Meanwhile, Castleford will have veteran centre Jake Webster back for Sunday’s visit to Salford when they hope to maintain their 100 per cent record.

The former New Zealand international was rested for the game on the Vikings’ artificial pitch in order to keep him fresh for Sunday’s game, when he will be given the job of marking powerful threequarter Junior Sa’u.