Cuthbertson retains England hope and belief in a Rhinos charge

Adam Cuthbertson is held by Graeme Horne and James Greenwood of Hull KR.

The Australian prop, like many of his colleagues, is struggling for form at the moment with the faltering champions having won just twice this year.

However, once he recovers from an elbow injury suffered that kept him out of Saturday’s latest defeat at Salford, Cuthbertson plans on recapturing the form that saw him shortlisted for Man of Steel last season during his debut campaign with the treble-winners.

Qualified through his Manchester-born father, he spoke to then England coach Steve McNamara about playing in last autumn’s Test series against New Zealand but was eventually over-looked. However, the appointment of his mentor Wayne Bennett - a coach Cuthbertson cites as being instrumental in reviving his career - as McNamara’s successor could see the 31-year-old re-visit that goal.

“I played under Wayne at St George Illawarra Dragons and went to Newcastle Knights with him for three years,” he said.

“I’ve spent plenty of time under Wayne and had a really good time doing so as well. I’m definitely keen, there’s a long way of the season to go yet and I’m sure I can turn it all around.

“My game hasn’t changed too much, I don’t think. People can point fingers and say ‘you haven’t played well and teams have figured you out’ but there’s obviously a lot more to it than just that.”

Annoyingly, Cuthbertson suffered his injury in training and is waiting to discover how long he will be sidelined.

“I tore a few muscles attached to the ligaments that are joined to my elbow,” he said.

“It’s quite a decent tear too, so it’s not pretty, but I’m hoping I’m not out too long. It’s rubbed salt into the wounds, especially doing it in training because you can cop them when it happens in the heat of battle.”

An enforced rest, however, could help Cuthbertson rediscover his dynamic 2015 form when his offloading game caused chaos for Super League rivals.

“I’ve been playing a bit battered and bruised,” he said. “I broke a little bone in my hand, it’s an old injury I’ve re-done and I think I was compensating for it a bit too much which sort of resulted in me getting this injury. You don’t ever want to sit out games but I definitely feel refreshed from having the week off.”

Meanwhile, Wakefield Trinity prop Nick Scruton has been charged with a minor grade A offence of making dangerous contact on Tony Clubb during his side’s 62-0 win over Wigan on Sunday.