BIG Eorl Crabtree knows a strong England performance against the Exiles could guarantee him a World Cup shot in the Autumn.
The in-form Giants prop is odds-on to play for his country against the cream of the overseas stars competing in Super League at Warrington on Friday (8.00).
The 31-year-old is in a squad of 20 – which also includes Huddersfield Giants teammates Leroy Cudjoe and Brett Ferres – for England’s only warm-up fixture ahead of the end-of-season global tournament.
Crabtree is one of a number of front-row forwards in contention to secure an England World Cup spot.
So he knows only his best will be good enough in the Halliwell Jones Stadium encounter.
“I’m really enjoying being in the England camp so far,” said Crabtree, who is part of a 20-man squad spending the week at the team’s Loughborough University base.
“It’s quite intense and we’re working hard for Friday’s game, because we know we’re going to need to be well prepared.
“This is going to be the most intense game any of us will play all season until the World Cup starts, so we need to make the most of it.
“As players we all know we need to grab the opportunity and put in a big performance and put ourselves in the frame to get selected for the World Cup.
“Some people have labelled the International Origin Match as a sort of warm-up for us.
“But that’s not something I agree with. This is a test for us and a massive game for the group.
“From a personal perspective I’d like to win.
“We haven’t won a series yet against the Exiles and I’d like to be part of the England squad that changes that.
“Getting a win and keeping England’s unbeaten run going from 2012 is a big thing.
“That’ll give us confidence a lot of confidence going into the World Cup.”
