Normally you get a letter telling you that you’ve been selected but I didn’t receive one and, as no one had given me any indication I was in the running to make the team, I thought my England days were behind me, hence the reason I decided to take up a new challenge. When I told Don that I had agreed to join Salford, he went ‘oh’; it wasn’t a long conversation after that.
I got grief from people saying I had effectively stuck two fingers up to Rugby Union. But it wasn’t like that at all. That upset me because I would’ve never done that to England. Would I have moved over to Rugby League had the letter arrived on time? There is quite a bit of me that says, probably not. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy Rugby League because I had six very enjoyable years at Salford and made good friends for life in both codes. But it’s important for me to stress, I never fell out with Rugby Union – how can you fall out with a game that has taken you around the world?
For me, that journey started at Upholland Grammar School (now known as Winstanley College) in Orrell. Our sports teacher was a Sale player called Ken Brown, who understood rugby was a game to be enjoyed. You had Upholland Grammar at one end of the village of Orrell and out the other way, there was the big Catholic school, John Rigby, and they played Rugby Union as well, and the players from the two schools migrated into Orrell and the junior set-up at the club got stronger and stronger.
I was only 17 and still a colt when I made my first-team debut for Orrell in 1977, on Easter Monday away to Pontypool. At that age, I had no fear. It was only when I saw Charlie Faulkner, Bobby Windsor and Graham Price – the infamous Pontypool front row – walking around the changing room, that the situation I found myself in finally dawned on me.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
