Exclusive: England summons sees Ablett turn back on Vegas

The makeshift centre thought his season had reached the perfect crescendo when he scored in Saturday’s remarkable Old Trafford victory over St Helens.

He had already defied medical experts to play, revealing afterwards he fractured his cheekbone just four weeks previously.

Uncapped Ablett, 25, was then looking forward to flying out to ‘Sin City’ tomorrow with eight of his friends but was yesterday named in Steve McNamara’s 24-man Four Nations squad.

“I knew nothing about it and never even thought I was in contention or being considered,” Ablett told the Yorkshire Post.

“I’d booked my stag-do for Vegas on Wednesday and I was fully prepared for that so that says it all.

“But I got Steve’s voice mail message yesterday while we were out celebrating the Grand Final and it was just a real shock.

“I’ve got the chance to play for my country now, though, so I can’t wait. It’s been a great weekend.”

It is a sign of Ablett’s toughness – an asset McNamara knows will be crucial when the action starts on October 29 – that he should not even currently be playing.

The Leeds-born player, who has won four Grand Final rings without gaining the acclaim afforded fellow Academy products Kevin Sinfield, Danny McGuire and Rob Burrow, broke his cheekbone at Huddersfield on September 11.

Astonishingly, he was back playing less than three weeks later, scoring the opening try in their win at Warrington which set up the Old Trafford decider. “They said I’d be out for six weeks so I owe our physios a lot after what they have done to make sure I get back as fast as possible,” said Ablett, who has been wearing a scrum-cap recommended by Saints rival Jonny Lomax.

“They’ve told me what to eat to make the bone heal quicker, which supplements would help, and given me ultra-sound.

“I’ve been in oxygen chambers, seen surgeons and spoken to so many people to make sure I get the help I needed, including about what sort of scrum-cap is needed to protect it.

“But by the time I hopefully get to play for England I won’t need the cap at all. It’ll be six weeks then and I want to see those opponents face-to-face.”

One of them could be Australian great Greg Inglis, the world’s finest centre, who yesterday announced he was fit for the tour.

England open against Wales at Leigh before facing the Kangaroos at Wembley on November 5. “You want to test yourself against the best,” said Ablett, who only switched from back-row to centre earlier this year due to Keith Senior’s season-ending knee injury.

“It’s good to see Inglis is in – it’d be great to come up against their strongest side – and we’ll see how it goes. I’ve not really spoken to Steve about where he sees me playing but maybe being able to cover both has helped me.

“It doesn’t really bother me. Back-row is my favoured position but I’ve done quite a good stint at centre now so it’s not new to me.

“I’m pretty confident I’ll be able to cope.”

While renowned for his aggressive defence and work-rate, Ablett also has under-rated skills which have been honed during his extended spell in the three-quarters.

He has formed a fine partnership with winger Ryan Hall – one of seven Leeds players selected in McNamara’s squad.

The others are England captain Jamie Peacock, Sinfield, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, uncapped Ben Jones-Bishop and, also, recalled Ryan Bailey.

“We didn’t have any players in the Super League Dream Team and everyone had written us off,” added Ablett, who helped Rhinos become the first side to win a Grand Final from fifth.

“So it’s great to now have seven with England and it could have been eight but Rob (Burrow) has had to pull out with an injury.

“The critics said we were past it, we weren’t going to do anything in the play-offs and had had a terrible season. But we won Super League again and, hopefully, we can now finish off by winning with England, too.

“After what we’ve been through these last few weeks, to come up with a performance like we did on Saturday was amazing and I’m still on cloud nine.

“I probably didn’t think I’d ever play for England especially when you remember I’ve been playing out of position and it will be a dream come true if I get picked.”

But what about that stag do?

“I’ll be at Loughborough University instead,” he said, referring to England’s training camp.

“The lads are taking a cardboard cut-out of me to Vegas, though, and will have a few beers on my behalf.

“I’m sure they’ll send me a few messages from various casinos, too, but I’m not complaining.”

MCNAMARA’S MEN: SQUADS IN FULL

England Four Nations squad:

C Ablett (Leeds), R Bailey (Leeds), T Briscoe (Hull), G Carvell (Warrington), R Chase (Castleford), L Cudjoe (Huddersfield), G Ellis (Wests Tigers), J Graham (St Helens), R Hall (Leeds), C Heighington (Wests Tigers), B Jones-Bishop (Leeds), J Jones-Buchanan (Leeds), J Lomax (St Helens), M McIlorum (Wigan), A Morley (Warrington), J Peacock (Leeds, capt), J Reed (Brisbane), J Roby (St Helens), K Sinfield (Leeds), S Tomkins (Wigan), B Westwood (Warrington), G Widdop (Melbourne), J Wilkin (St Helens), K Yeaman (Hull).

Knights (v France Saturday):

J Arundel (Castleford), J Broughton (Salford), J Charnley (Wigan), C Clarkson (Leeds), P Clough (St Helens), M Cooper (Warrington), J Donaldson (Bradford), L Farrell (Wigan), J Foster (St Helens), L Gale (Harlequins), Z Hardaker (Leeds), B Harrison (Warrington), D Houghton (Hull), S Moore (St Helens), L Mossop (Wigan), R Myler (Warrington), S Ratchford (Salford), C Riley (Warrington), M Smith (Salford), L Watts (Hull KR), K Welham (Hull KR), J Westerman (Hull).