Wigan prop Stuart Fielden believes he is back to his best as he looks forward to taking on St Helens in Saturday's Grand Final.
Wigan prop looking forward to another Grand Final appearance
Wigan prop Stuart Fielden believes he is back to his best as he looks forward to taking on St Helens in Saturday's Grand Final.
The 31-year-old was widely regarded as the best front-row forward in the game when Bradford won their third Grand Final in 2005, but his form slumped following a record-breaking move across the Pennines.
Fielden has not added to his 25 England caps since the 2006 Tri-Nations but his form for the Warriors this year has prompted speculation he could be ready to return to the international arena.
"I'm back to playing my best rugby," he said. "I've been very happy with my form this year.
"It's the light at the end of the tunnel for me. It's been a very hard few years so it's great that I'm reaping the fruits of my labour.
"I guess it's down to perseverance. I never stopped trying or being professional. It was just one of those things. There are reasons but it's getting through it and obviously a massive part of that has been the new coaching staff at the club.
Cigar
"It doesn't mean I can walk around with a cigar in my mouth, I still need to maintain that performance and improvement."
Fielden would not hesitate if asked to board the plane to Auckland with Steve McNamara's England squad next Friday but he is not holding his breath.
"You never know," he said. "Obviously I firmly believe I should be under consideration and, with the new coaching staff they've got, I probably will be - under consideration.
"Getting picked is something else, that's Steve's department. Whether I get picked or not I think England are in very good hands.
"I know Steve pretty well and I know what they've got planned. They're moving forward.
"I want to be involved but all my mind is on playing well on Saturday and doing everything I can for Wigan. We'll see what comes off the back of that but I would love to play for England again."
The Yorkshireman experienced two Grand Finals with Bradford against close rivals Leeds, but is expecting the atmosphere to be even more hostile on Saturday as Lancashire's two giants clash.
"I always maintain that Leeds and Bradford supporters back then never hated each other as much as Wigan and Saints people do," he added.
"They really do detest each other. It was more mutual respect perhaps with Leeds and Bradford. Don't get me wrong, they didn't like each other.
"But with Wigan and Saints, it does seem that the only thing on their minds is beating the other team. It's a strong feeling."
