DARRELL GRIFFIN is hoping his experience with England will stand him in good stead when he returns to pre-season training with the Giants.

The 27-year-old prop missed out on a place in England’s final World Cup squad to Australia, but played 42 minutes in Friday’s 74-0 victory over Wales in Doncaster.

Griffin was pleased with his night’s work.

And although he didn’t make coach Tony Smith’s final 24-man squad, he admits he will return to pre-season training next month with his confidence boosted.

“Even though I didn’t make the final cut, my confidence is pretty good right now,” said Griffin.

“When Tony told me I wouldn’t be going to Australia, he made it clear I’d been close and I should be proud of what I’ve achieved.

“He’s watched the way my career has progressed over the past few seasons and it’s the consistency I’m now showing that got me the initial call. He also added my time in the squad could carry on if I continue to progress.

“To hear things like that from the national coach is obviously good, and I’m looking forward to returning for pre-season training hopefully a better player.

“For the past month, I’ve been training with the top 40 players in the country and so the quality of the sessions have obviously been amazing. You know you have to smarten up your act to match what everyone else is doing.

“The sessions, particularly last week, were of an incredibly high standard, done at 100mph and at the highest intensity imaginable.

“I genuinely believe that working under such conditions brought the very best out of me, and I just hope I can remain at that level when I’m back at Huddersfield.”