SO WHO'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH NOW, EH?

After Rhinos told him he wasn't big or good enough to make it, Johnstone excited over return to Headingley as a rising England star

- DAVE CRAVEN

TOM JOHNSTONE was once told by Leeds he would never be good enough to play professional rugby league - but returns to Headingley on Saturday as an England star.

The prolific Catalans winger has no problem with the Rhinos. Far from it. But he does love going back to the stadium where he used to watch the sport as a kid.

Although Johnstone was born in Germany his dad was there with the army - he grew up in Leeds.

And now he is aiming to torpedo Tonga and complete a 3-0 series whitewash at the famous ground.

Johnstone, 28, recalled: "I was in the Rhinos scholarship. I got sat down in the end-of-the-year meeting and got released.

"They said you're not big enough, you're not good enough and you won't be.

"It was a big fuelling of the fire for me. But I wouldn't change a thing in my career with the highs and lows.

"From there, to Wakefield where I loved it and then on to Catalans this year and back into England. It's made me the person I am today.