Hardaker ready to switch back to centre against Exiles

Hardaker broke into the Rhinos’ team at centre but was at full-back in the last Exiles game at Huddersfield last July and has since worn the No 1 jersey with distinction for the Super League champions.

However, Sam Tomkins has reclaimed the full-back role for England and Hardaker will be switched by coach Steve McNamara to centre following the loss of Watkins with an ankle injury.

“I wasn’t really expecting to get picked so I’m pretty excited,” said Hardaker from the England camp at Loughborough University.

“It’s a new position for me again. I played a bit of centre for Leeds so it’s not totally new to me.

“I’ve played in a Grand Final at centre and I’ve been looking at a few videos and a few things I did last time.

“Kallum has been going really well and I’ll try to do him justice but they are pretty big boots to fill.

“I told Steve I will play anywhere for my country. It doesn’t really matter what position I play, I’ll still give it my all.”

McNamara has yet to finalise his line-up but his threequarter line virtually picks itself and Hardaker is looking forward to linking up with his Leeds team-mate Ryan Hall, England’s deadly finishing winger, at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

“Leroy (Cudjoe) plays on the right for Huddersfield so I’ll be playing on the left with Hally which should be good,” said Hardaker.

“I’ve played with Ryan before. I’ll just pass him the ball, he can finish most tries off. If he can’t dance around them, he’ll probably go right through them.”

Friday’s one-off game with the cream of Super League’s overseas players will be England’s last competitive outing before the World Cup and Hardaker is expecting a stern test of their credentials.

“We’re looking at this game in its own right,” he said. “Obviously the World Cup at the end of the year is massive but we want to really do a job on the Exiles.

“We want the trophy and the chance to celebrate. We’ll try to win the game first and concentrate on the World Cup afterwards. It does put you in the shop window to show Steve Mac what you’ve got.

“The Exiles are a very experienced team – most of them have played in big games before – and I reckon they’ll be good at completing their sets.”

Widnes have signed Hull second-row Danny Tickle on a three-year deal from 2014.

The 30-year-old former Halifax and Wigan player is out of contract at Hull at the end of the year and has been keen for some time to return to his Wigan home.

Tickle will help fill the void created by the departure of Gareth Hock, who will join Australian club Parramatta next year.

Catalan Dragons prop Remi Casty is to join the player drain from Super League to the NRL after signing a two-year contract with Sydney Roosters.