Huddersfield duo Ryan Heeley and Jason Southwell admit playing for Great Britain against Australia in Friday’s Police World Cup opener at Dewsbury will be a highlight of their careers.

Both men are pencilled in to play against the Aussies at the Tetley’s Stadium, with vice-captain Southwell ready to play at prop and Heeley set for a utility back role.

They will then be looking to back-up against Fiji at Bradford’s Odsal Stadium next Thursday, with a victory in either of the round-robin games guaranteeing the hosts a place in the Police World Cup final at Leeds’ Headingley Carnegie Stadium on Sunday, July 14.

A final appearance would obviously be the icing on the cake for the Huddersfield-based pair, with former Giants’ Super League player Southwell knowing a big clash at the Rhinos’ ground would be the perfect way to celebrate his 27th birthday.

“I couldn’t think of a better birthday present than winning the World Cup final with Great Britain at Headingley!” said Southwell, who is playing his first game for two months after suffering a broken hand playing for Pennine League club Emley Moor and works as a police officer in the Brighouse area.

“Making my Super League debut for the Giants at Bradford Bulls and playing in the Student World Cup have to be the highlights of my career so far.

“But Friday’s game against Australia would be right up there. Playing and winning the final would challenge all of those.

“To be honest, we don’t know what to expect from the Aussies and the Fijians, but we are the underdogs so there are no expectations on us at all. Fiji are the holders and the Aussies are always strong when it comes to rugby league, whatever side they are.

“So we can just go out there, give it our best shot and see where it takes us. We had a great training camp three weeks ago and we go back into camp today to make sure we can prepare as well as we can. The mood is certainly positive.”

As vice-captain of the squad, Southwell is confident of getting a start this weekend, while 24-year-old Newsome Panthers utility back Heeley is hopeful his utility value will be his trump card.

“We’ve got a 24-man squad, but I am confident I’ll get a run,” said Heeley, who works in the Chapeltown area of Leeds.

“I feel at home playing full-back or wing. I’m definitely ready to play.

“I’ve been involved in the British Police set-up for over four years now, and have played regularly for them. Playing in the Atlantic Cup in Florida two years ago was a fantastic experience.

“But that doesn’t come close to playing for the side in a World Cup against Australia and Fiji.

“The chance to step onto the field and face the Aussies on Friday night would be the best moment of my career so far.

“You don’t get many chances to represent your country in a host World Cup, so these next could of weeks are going to be really special.”

There is also Huddersfield interest in the Students World Cup, with several players from the area hoping to play for England.

The tournament gets under way tomorrow, with England making their bow against Ireland at Batley, and University of Huddersfield’s Billy Griffith and Newsome Panthers’ Trinity and All Saints Student James Wallace will be hoping to feature.

The Student and Police competitions are part of a Festival of World Cups which start this week and also include the Women’s and Wheelchair World Cups.

And on match officials duty as part of the Festival will be three members of the Huddersfield Referees Society.

Chris Kendall, Phil Graham and Steve Addy have all been chosen to take part, with Addy having also just been awarded the Jim Gilmartin Student Rugby League Referee of the year.

On top of that, fellow Society member Jack Pullein will travel to London next month to officiate in the Champion Schools’ competition, which is staged in the build-up to the Tetley’s Challenge Cup final at Wembley.