Hungry Myler out to impress
Richie Myler has admitted he feared his lack of club action could have cost him his place in the England set-up.
Last Updated: 16/10/09 3:34pm
Richie Myler has admitted he feared his lack of club action could have cost him when England coach Tony Smith came to select his squad for the Gillette Four Nations series.
Myler excelled with a record 30-point in England's 66-12 demolition of France in June, but since that time he has played just five matches.
The 19-year-old scrum-half was overlooked by Salford coach Shaun McRae as he finalised his protracted move to Warrington and his last outing for the Reds came on July 31.
Myler feared his inactivity could work against him, but got the news he was hoping for when Smith named him in his 24-man squad for the forthcoming internationals against France, Australia and New Zealand.
"There was a spell over the last eight weeks when I was a bit nervous," Myler stated.
"I wasn't panicking but I was wondering whether I had done enough and would get picked and, when Tony rang me, I was over the moon."
Myler now looks poised to renew his half-back partnership with Danny McGuire having himself got the over another Leeds Rhinos star, Rob Burrow.
He does face competition from Kyle Eastmond and Sam Tomkins, his fellow nominees for the Super League young player award, but Myler is relishing the challenge ahead, provided he's given the chance to impress.
Quality
"They are real quality players," continued Myler, who lost out to Tomkins in the final vote for the award at the Man of Steel dinner.
"It seemed like it was taking an eternity to come and then, all of a sudden, it's on the doorstep," he said of the international fixtures.
"I can't wait to get into it. I know it's going to be a really tough challenge but that's what you play rugby for.
"It would mean the world to play against Australia. It's every boy's dream when you are watching the telly, thinking 'I want to do that one day'."
But before he can tackle the Australians, Myler must focus on Wales and Saturday's international match in Bridgend which will provide a useful warm-up for the big matches ahead.
"I'm chomping at the bit to play," he said. "I can't wait. I feel fresh, rejuvenated and ready to go.
"We know it's going to be a really tough challenge. Wales have got a new coach and there will be different players. We're expecting a really tough match."
Wales will be skippered by Ben Flower, one of 11 players from Celtic Crusaders in Iestyn Harris' 19-man squad.
Wales (from): M Barron (Gateshead), A Bateman (Crusaders), A Blackwood (Crusaders), N Budworth (Crusaders), G Davies (Crusaders), R Divorty (Featherstone), G Dudson (Crusaders), B Flower (Crusaders, capt), R Griffiths (Warrington), J James (Crusaders), E Kear (Crusaders), C Kopzcak (Bradford), L Mills (Crusaders), C Roets (Bridgend), I Watson (Leigh), I Webster (Central Comets), L White (Crusaders), L Williams (Crusaders), R Williams (Warrington)
England: P Sykes (Bradford); P Fox (Hull KR), S O'Loughlin (Wigan), M Shenton (Castleford), T Briscoe (Hull); S Tomkins (Wigan), R Myler (Salford); A Morley (Warrington, capt), S Moore (Huddersfield), G Carvell (Warrington), G Ellis (Wests Tigers), B Westwood (Warrington), S Burgess (Bradford)
Subs: L McCarthy-Scarsbrook (Harlequins), M Higham (Warrington), D Tickle (Hull), C Bridge (Warrington)