LUKE OUT, GEORGE... I’M COMIN’

Gale plans to ruin pal’s debut

LUKE GALE will fight fire with fire tonight in an attempt to ruin his pal George Williams’ debut for Warrington.

But the Leeds star is desperately hoping the two half backs will blaze a trail together, when – or if –the World Cup in England kicks-off in October.

The pair are in England boss Shaun Wane’s plans for a tournament that is still hanging by a thread.

Last-gasp talks will try and salvage the competition from the wreckage caused by Australia and New Zealand’s refusal to play over Covid fears.

Gale (below) said: “It will be a massive blow if it doesn’t go ahead. Every day the chances of it happening seem to change but I really hope it can be sorted out.”

Gale and Williams (above), who has joined Warrington after a stint in the NRL with Canberra Raiders, were part of England’s 2017 World Cup campaign.

Gale played in the 6-0 final defeat by Australia in Brisbane and said: “I had the best times of my career over those six or seven weeks of the World Cup.

“Those are the memories that stay with you for ever so it will be sad if it doesn’t go ahead.”

Gale has been working as an ambassador for the

World Cup organisers and added: “Tournament Chief Executive Jon Dutton and his team have worked hard for four years.

“I understand where all the parties are coming from but it is a World Cup after all. We have to do what we have to do to get it on.”

Today, all of Gale’s focus is on helping Leeds’ push for a play-off spot against a Wolves side boosted by the arrival of Williams, 26.

They snapped him up last month after his fall out with Canberra, but held his debut back over fitness concerns.

Gale said: “I’ve roomed with him a couple of times during internationals and he’s a good lad and friend.

“He will be very keen to make an impact in his first game so I’m excited to play against him. It’s always good to go against great players and we need to keep him quiet.”

Gale helped Leeds beat Hull 22-12 on Thursday in his first game since having the captaincy stripped off him following a row with coach Rich Agar.

The 33-year-old Rhinos star said: “It’s been a tough week, I will not lie. But I am paid to play rugby and we move on. I started off a bit rusty with a forward pass but I grew into the game and it felt great to get the win.

“I’m happy with how it all turned out. We won and we go again now against Warrington.”

Leeds’ win over Hull was their sixth in eight games, but Gale was particularly pleased because of they way the Rhinos ground it out.

He said: “Our defensive effort was outstanding, in the first half especially, when we didn’t start great.

“It wasn’t a game for silky tries and great football but some days you have to grind it out.

“We’ve been guilty of not doing that in the past, probably.

“In the recent defeats against Catalans we made great starts, then fell away. This time we found a different way. That’s the most pleasing aspect.”