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RICHARD Myler’s stunning debut season for Salford City Reds will be rewarded by an international debut for England in their World Cup warm-up match with Wales.
'My' big chance
Dave Lawrenson9/10/2008
SALFORD scrum half Richard Myler is looking to perform to the best of his ability in England’s friendly game with Wales and force his way into Tony Smith’s World Cup squad.
And the 18-year-old says that the least he wants to get out of his England debut at Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium tomorrow, Friday, October 10, kick-off 7.35pm, is to prove that he can handle the step up to international rugby.
England coach Smith has not selected Myler in his initial 24-man squad for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand but, with the possibility of players picking up injuries in the next couple of weeks, there is scope for squad changes.
And Smith clearly rates Myler highly. He hailed the Salford player ‘an outstanding talent who has had an outstanding year’ and ‘an international player for the future but also deserves it at the moment’ after capping off the best week in Myler’s life by handing him a shock call-up.
Myler began that week by being named the National League One young player of the year and was told about his international selection just 10 minutes after starring in Salford’s nail-biting Grand Final win against Celtic.
He is understandably feeling on top of the world at the moment and the naturally talented and ultra confident youngster is determined to make the most of what he admits is the biggest game of his career to date.
Myler, who will start tomorrow’s game due to Super League Grand Finalists Leon Pryce, Rob Burrow and Danny McGuire being rested, said: "I was gobsmacked but very happy when I heard about the England call-up.
"It means the world to me to be called up to play for my country. It is something that all players dream of but not many players get to achieve it when they are only 18.
"Friday’s match is the biggest of my career but I have no fear. I’ll treat it as though it is any other game.
"I’m just going to go out there, make sure that I enjoy the occasion and try to play my very best. I am confident in my ability and I would love to go to this year’s World Cup.
"But, if I can’t do that, I want to at least show that I deserve to be thought of as an international player for the future.
"I am really looking forward to the challenge. The Welsh won’t be easy opponents but this is a game us English should be winning."
Salford-born Warrington prop Adrian Morley is fully behind Myler’s shock international call-up.
Morley, who would be lining up alongside Myler tomorrow had it not been for his stomach injury, said: "It’s great to see Richard Myler called up. He is a terrific prospect and he has had a great season.
"He will benefit greatly. It is fully deserved and it will help his development."
Myler, who will 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, admits that he has had a dream debut season at Salford. And he is relishing the prospect of testing his talents against the Super League elite next year.
Myler said: "This year has gone really well. I said at the start of the year that I would have been happy to play a few first team games as well as reserve team fixtures so to have played in all but one of the first team matches is fantastic.
"I played my part in the team winning three trophies and I can’t wait to play in Super League next year and go up against the best players around."
England coach Smith certainly thinks that Myler is ready for the step up to Super League.
Smith said: "He’s showing he can compete against men at the highest level. From what I have seen, you can tell class at whatever level. And he’s got the class to be able to handle that transition.
"A few people wondered how Joe Westerman would handle it after his outstanding year in the National League with Castleford. He came up and did an excellent job in Super League and picked up the young player of the year award.
"I have no doubt that Richie will do similar sorts of things next season in Super League."
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9/10/2008 at 17:01