Castleford centre Sam Wood intends to “soak it all in” on first England camp after being called up for their Test match against France in Toulouse on Saturday.
The 26-year-old received his first call up to the 20-man squad after impressing in a Tigers side that are struggling towards the bottom of Betfred Super League this season.
England will play France in a one-off mid-season Test for the first time since a 3-0 series whitewash over Tonga in Winter 2023.
💪 Try on Thursday for @CTRLFC 🏴 Named in your first #EnglandRL squad on Monday
👀 It's not been a bad few days for Sam Wood! pic.twitter.com/aSQlreTEj4
— England Rugby League (@England_RL) June 24, 2024
No NRL based players have been chosen to feature against France, paving the way for players like Wood to try and cement their names in the squad.
Wood is looking forward to rubbing shoulders with some of the best players in the league.
He told the PA news agency: “You look round the room and it’s all the best players in Super League, so it is going to be a level above.
“I’m just going to enjoy the whole week for what it is and soak it all in.
“There are fantastic players here, the squad is full of superstars. I’m just going to enjoy the experience and learn some bits off those that I don’t normally get to do and there are some outstanding players and I just can’t wait to get going.
“I was even nervous just coming into camp today so the game will be another level but I’m surrounded by quality players and I’m sure they will help me through the game and I’ll do my best for them. ”
Wood is one of six new faces that have been called up to the England side alongside Elliot Minchella, Brad O’Neil, George Delaney, Oliver Wilson and James McDonnell.
The Dewsbury-born player signed from Hull KR in the off season and scored a try against his old side in their narrow 13-12 loss last week. Despite speculation over his call-up, Wood admits he never thought the day would come.
He added: “There’s no bigger merit in my eyes and in rugby league to play for your country – so absolutely over the moon and still can’t believe it really.
“I never expected it, you just try do your best at club level and for that side but I didn’t expect an England call-up.
“You’ve got to enjoy it because I might just be here once, hopefully not, but you never know when your time is up internationally – I just want to know what it takes to keep doing that and be here for a long time to come hopefully.”
England head coach Shaun Wane went into hospital on Tuesday evening and was absent from England’s first training session on Wednesday. It remains to be seen whether Wane will be able to travel with the squad to Toulouse.