St Helens forward Nick Fozzard is keen to make amends for missing out on last season's Cup final
St Helens forward Nick Fozzard is keen to make amends for missing out on last season's Cup final
Nick Fozzard is determined to help St Helens reach Wembley next month to help make up for his own agony of missing out on last year's final.
The former Leeds, Huddersfield and Warrington prop was dropped for both last year's
Challenge Cup final at Twickenham and the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford, despite being a regular throughout the season.
Saints had five front-row forwards last year and, when it came to the big
occasions, coach Daniel Anderson had a full complement of players to choose from and Fozzard, along with back-rower Vinnie Anderson, was one of the players to miss out.
"Last year wasn't much fun at all," said Fozzard. "Playing at Wembley would
more than make up for missing last year.
"It wasn't the worst feeling. Breaking your arm three times is worse - that
builds your resolve up to get over such things.
"It was upsetting but I got over it pretty well."
Fozzard has played in all but one of Saints' 25 matches so far this year and
was particularly impressive in Friday night's 19-12 win over Wigan.
But he is still taking nothing for granted ahead of next Saturday's cup semi-final against Bradford at Huddersfield's Galpharm Stadium.
"Nothing is really that secure," he said.
"It all depends on how you are playing. A few bad games and you'll be out.
It's what keeps you on your toes.
Missed Out
"I'm doing all right at the minute. I was probably more happy with my form
last year, it's just that we've got different squad members.
"I want to play in these big games because that's what was upsetting about
last year. I played in every game I was fit enough for apart from the two
finals."
One player guaranteed a place in Saints' 17 is utility man James Roby, who
demonstrated his versatility by starting Friday's match at scrum-half.
Roby played for Great Britain last month at hooker, the position he is being
groomed in to succeed Keiron Cunningham at Knowsley Road, and he has also figured at loose forward for his club.
Slotted
But he slotted in effortlessly at seven against the Warriors to allow Sean Long
a gentle re-introduction following his injury lay-off.
"We deliberately left Sean out of the heat of the action in the first 20 and
Robes stepped in at seven," explained Anderson.
"Nothing seems to be uncomfortable for him.
"He's a great team player. He will play wherever you want him to.
"He's going to be a magnficent number nine and he will wear that number when Keiron goes. He will still be far and away the best in this competition but,
until that time comes, he's happy to put in anywhere."
