Browse Sections

• Salford City Reds
• Local football
• Local cricket

Myler called up for England

2/10/2008

RUGBY LEAGUE: The greatest week in Richard Myler’s life has been capped off by the 18-year-old Salford scrum half being called up to represent his country.

After picking up the National League One young player of the year award and helping Salford win their League One Grand Final with Celtic, Myler was told that England coach Tony Smith has selected him in his train-on squad and plans to field him in the World Cup warm-up game against Wales at Doncaster on Friday, October 10.

Myler is therefore set to become the first player from the lower divisions to play in a top level international for England or Great Britain since Keighley’s Daryl Powell did so in GB’s 1996 Test series in New Zealand.

Smith this week labelled Myler a ‘very good prospect for the future’ and admitted that he has been ‘watching him closely’ following ‘a great year’ for the youngster.

But he says that Myler is unlikely to play in the forthcoming World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Smith has been in regular contact with Salford coach Shaun McRae about Myler’s development.

And after Myler’s National League award win, McRae publicly stated that the skilful scrum half has what it takes to become an established top flight star.

McRae said: "I’d say Richie probably won the young player of the year award hands down. I know Stefan Ratchford was nominated as well and he’s had a very good year but I’d have thought that daylight would have come second after Richie because he’s been outstanding.

"I’m really happy with his progress this year. Now it is a matter of him maturing. We’ve got things to work on from a tactical point of view and in terms of his physical development and his emotional strength.

"With awards like this and with the number of games he’s played in this year he is heading in the right direction.

"A lot is up to him and also up to myself and the coaching staff to help develop him. But if his attitude and his head is right then there’s no reason why he can’t go on to become a very good player and maybe even claim even higher honours in the future."