Plenty of rugby left in legs as Diskin plots England call-up

Armed with four Super League titles and a World Club Challenge victory, knowing he has played a significant part in Leeds Rhinos' rise to historic dominance, the much-respected hooker should be able to bask in deserved glory when his testimonial clash gets underway tomorrow.

However, while Diskin will certainly embrace the moment leading Rhinos out against Bradford Bulls at Headingley Carnegie, he realises there is little opportunity for him to rest easy. It goes against all the principles that have turned him into the player he is.

The club will mark Diskin's 10 years of first-team service tomorrow but his contract is up at the end of the season and he knows he cannot simply expect another. There is the small matter of ending the Rhinos' Challenge Cup hoodoo to sort out as well while, on a more personal note, the Dewsbury-born player is scratching away at the nagging need to finally establish the international career that has somehow cruelly avoided him.

Fortunately, all this should co-incide with Diskin entering his prime, despite that long service award.

"People see you're having a testimonial and think you're on your last legs," he offered.

"I'm not. I'm 28 next week, the body's in good shape and I've got three or four years rugby left."

It is fitting Bradford are the opponents and not just because they have been Leeds's fiercest rivals for most of his time at the club.

"When I signed pro as a 16-year-old it came down to Bradford or Leeds," Diskin recalled. "It was a very tough decision. Both offered very similar deals but I just felt really comfortable at Leeds. There's a big family environment here reflected by the way we've all come through together.

"From day one I've felt part of a family and the decision's been justified."

While the Bulls enjoyed success through the first half of the last decade, it was Leeds who streaked clear afterwards, Academy products such as Diskin, Kevin Sinfield, Rob Burrow, Danny McGuire and Jamie Jones-Buchanan, the "family" he speaks so fondly of, forming the backbone of their dynasty.

"I didn't expect to be here 12 years later but it's just been a fantastic journey," added Diskin. "I still remember signing in the old bungalow which used to be the coach's office.

"The stadium and everything has changed so dramatically since and nearly half my life I've spent being part of Leeds Rhinos. I'm really proud and humbled to be getting this testimonial."

Making his debut in a Challenge Cup tie at Castleford Tigers in 2001, Diskin established himself as a regular the following year and has developed into one of the finest exponents of the modern-day hooking role.

A prolific tackler with quality distribution and decision-making, he seems to be constantly improving, becoming an integral part of the most successful side in the club's history.

His intelligence and cunning were already coming to the fore when winning the Harry Sunderland Trophy as man-of-the-match in Leeds's inaugural Grand Final victory, the club's first championship in more than 30 years.

"That 2004 final really stands out for me," he said. "It was our first and to actually achieve an individual accolade in that game was amazing too."

But his career low came just a few weeks later in what should have been his finest hour.

Handed a Great Britain debut against New Zealand in the Tri Nations, Diskin immediately looked the part only to suffer a serious knee injury just 17 minutes in.

He admits "not knowing how to handle" his nine-month lay-off and never played for his country again, something which irritates him especially given his stellar form of recent seasons.

"I feel a little hard done by the selections of the last couple of years," he admitted, understandable given the player's former Leeds coach and one of his biggest supporters Tony Smith has been in charge since 2007.

"I've never had any explanation as to why. All I know is if I can carry on performing consistently for my club hopefully, some day, a coach at that level will take notice.

"It's a burning ambition. The rejection means I just want to achieve it even more."

Another "burning" desire is to add a Challenge Cup winner's medal to his haul.

"We've made two finals and other than that we've really under-achieved in the competition," conceded Diskin.

"We seem to excel in Super League but we've been turned over in the cup and we're all aware of that."

He hopes to have more than one more stab at reaching Wembley in Leeds colours.

"I couldn't imagine playing anywhere else but it's not always my choice," added Diskin.

"I've got a testimonial year which I want to enjoy as much as I can but at the same time I'm out of contract so I've got to make sure I play well.

"I'll enjoy this testimonial and see what happens from there."

MATT DISKIN: THE STORY SO FAR

Born: Dewsbury, Jan 27 1982.

1998: Signs for Leeds Rhinos from Dewsbury Moor ARLFC.

1999: Captains Rhinos' Academy to Championship title.

2001: First-team debut at Castleford in Challenge Cup fifth round.

2003: Captains England in the European Nations Cup.

2004: Wins Harry Sunderland trophy and scores as Leeds defeat Bradford in Super League Grand Final.

Makes Great Britain debut against New Zealand but suffers cruciate injury.

2007: Lifts second Super League title after defeat of St Helens.

2008: Rhinos beat Melbourne in World Club Challenge and record back-to-back championships, beating Saints again.

2009: Leeds lose world tag against Manly but Diskin earns third straight Grand Final winner's ring.