TEEN DREAM
Nicholson’s England ambition
WARRINGTON young gun Matty Nicholson wants to celebrate his England call-up by beating old club Wigan in tonight’s top-of-the-table Super League clash.
The uncapped second-row, 19, has been drafted into Shaun Wane’s 40-man extended squad ahead of their Test against France at Halliwell Jones Stadium on April 29.
But first in-form Nicholson – one of eight Warrington players included for England – aims to make it nine wins from nine for the leaders.
On the surprise international call, he said: “It’s a massive achievement for myself and my family and a huge privilege.
“Obviously I’d love to play for England. That’s the pinnacle of anyone’s career. All I can do is keep playing good rugby.
“But I’m not looking too far forward and am just thinking about this Wigan game. It’ll be good to see some old faces. I had a lot of good times at Wigan coming through the academy. It’s a club I respect. But it’d be nice to get one over them.”
Nicholson caused a stir by leaving them last June to sign a three-and-a-half-year deal with Wolves.
Challenge Cup winners Warriors had high hopes for him, while Warrington had lost six of their last eight games on the way to finishing 11th.
But it has been a real turnaround in coach Daryl Powell’s second season in charge.
Warrington are hoping for a sellout crowd tonight and it’s no surprise, given the way they have shone. Nicholson certainly knows he made the right move.
Wigan have since let England’s John Bateman return to the NRL and Kai Pearce-Paul will head Down Under in 2024, so a regular second-row space could have opened up for him there.
But Nicholson said: “I’ve no regrets. With a few players leaving Wigan, it’s just how it is. But I’m happy here at Warrington and in a really good place.
“I’m playing week in, week out and playing well. As long as we keep winning I’ll be happy.
“Powelly got a lot of stick last year. The team wasn’t good but it’s almost a brand new team now. We kept a few but plenty went, so credit to Powelly. He’s kept positive in it all and is reaping the rewards now.”
Warrington winger Josh Thewlis, Salford prop Tyler Dupree and Leeds second-row Morgan Gannon are among 20 uncapped players in Wane’s squad.
Captain Sam Tomkins, Salford duo Kallum Watkins and Marc Sneyd and Ryan Hall are among seven players omitted from last year’s World Cup squad. ENGLAND SQUAD: Abdull, Lewis, Litten (all Hull KR), Farrell, Havard, King, Marshall, Pearce-Paul, Smith, Smithies, Wardle (all Wigan), Dodd, Knowles, Lees, Lomax, Makinson, Percival, Walmlsey, Welsby (all St Helens), Ashton, Clark, Currie, Harrison, Nicholson, Thewlis, Walker, Williams (all Warrington), Hill, Pryce, Wilson (all Huddersfield), Davies, Johnstone, McMeeken (all Catalans), Dupree, Ackers (both Salford), Gannon, Handley, Holroyd, Newman, Oledzki (all Leeds).