Test was a proud moment for me: Giants' Eorl

Jun 18 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

GIANTS prop Eorl Crabtree has admitted it was one of the proudest moments of his career when he stepped onto the field for England against France in Paris last Saturday.

The 26-year-old front-rower played a big role from the bench as the visitors rattled up a highly-impressive 66-12 Gillette Fusion Test triumph.

It was the first time Crabtree had represented the full England side (they were formerly Great Britain) and is the first Huddersfield-produced player since Ken Senior in 1967 to earn a full cap while playing for Huddersfield.

And Crabtree admits his appearance was easily on a par to playing for the Giants in the 2006 Challenge Cup final against St Helens at Twickenham.

“Playing for the full England side has to be right up there. It was all I expected and more,” said the former Underbank and Huddersfield YMCA junior.

“When you’re starting out in the game you dream of representing your country at the highest level, and now I’ve done just that.

“And to then be part of a great team performance and be more than happy about the way I played was the icing on the cake.

“I think the only thing that can really compare to last weekend was playing for Huddersfield in the Challenge Cup final a few years ago.

“That was obviously a fantastic experience, but the fact we lost took a lot of the gloss off the occasion.”