LEROY CUDJOE has admitted yesterday’s victory over Harlequins helped crown one of the most memorable weeks in his blossoming professional career.
The 22-year-old former Newsome Panthers utility back produced another rock-solid centre display to help the Giants close in on the Super League play-offs with a 40-4 home victory over Harlequins.
That came after spending the start of last week with the England train-on squad on a bonding exercise with the Royal Marines in Liverpool.
Cudjoe was one of the 37 top Super League players who were involved, including Giants teammates Kevin Brown, Eorl Crabtree and Shaun Lunt.
But while these three have been part of the England set-up before, it was Cudjoe’s first taste of being part of the full national squad.
And he admits it was a fantastic feeling.
“When I got the invite it did come out of the blue a bit,” he said.
“To be honest, I only found out about it the other Tuesday, which was just six days before the exercise itself.
“But it was still incredible to be there and mixing with the best players around. It was an unbelievable experience.
“Just as importantly, being called up for something like this is great for your confidence, and I just hope I can be involved a lot more times in the future.
“For that to happen, I need to keep playing well, and the Giants obviously have to keep playing well.
“At the end of the day, my main priority is always going to be to try to play well for the benefit of the Giants, and I’d like to think I did that in the win over Quins.
“After losing at Leeds last Friday, winning yesterday was vital.”
