BEN’S A PLAYER FOR THE AGES

The fans forget just that Currie is still only 29... but then he has been a top forward since he was just 17

HE is not old before his time, but England international Ben Currie admits people forget how young he still is.

Given he made his Warrington debut aged 17 and has been such a familiar face in Super League for so long, it is understandable why some feel he must be well into his 30s.

It is an easy mistake to make and Wolves secondrow Currie said: “I’ve heard it a few times – but I’ve just turned 29!”

There is still plenty more to come, then, from the strong-running forward who impressed after being called up as a makeshift centre in Saturday’s third Test win over Tonga.

Having played in England’s 2017 World Cup final loss against Australia, he was overlooked by Shaun Wane for last year’s tournament.

But he will still only be 32 when the next one comes around. And after Wane labelled his performance at Headingley “fantastic”, Currie has every intention of fighting for a spot.

He insisted: “The next World Cup is now in 2026 and I’m not saying I won’t be there. My goal is to be there.

And I think I can be, in and around the boys, whatever part I play. That’s definitely the target for me long-term.”

Canberra back-row Elliot Whitehead, 34, retired from the international scene after Saturday’s game while Wigan’s Liam Farrell, 33, could arguably have played his last England match.

Yet Currie’s cracking display at centre, scoring one try, setting up another and having one ruled out, also showed his versatility value.

He added: “I did it (centre) a bit a couple of years ago and played for England against the Combined Nations there.

“But throughout this season at Warrington, I’d only done 10 minutes there when Stef Ratchford got a head knock. I’ve not done too much there and was a little nervous.

“But when you’ve got the players around you of this England standard it makes your job 10 times easier. The big guys were working on the inside and you just have to wait for them to do their job for you to get your chance. I thought I was over early on and then got another chance.

“It was great work from Tommy Burgess and Harry Smith pushing through and luckily I managed to react just enough in time to get there and over for the try. It was special.” Meanwhile, Currie is looking forward to getting back to Warrington action in 2024 under new head coach Sam Burgess – his former England pack colleague.

“Obviously, I’ve not had much to do with him just yet,” he said, having been on international duty for the last month.

“It’s just good to see him back. I played with him so it’ll be interesting. But he has got that aura and presence about him so I’ve no doubt he’ll do well as a coach.”

■ Richie Myler has left Leeds to sign a one-year deal with ambitious Betfred Championship side York Knights.