'˜Home' of Wakefield Wildcats is where the new start is for Anthony England

The towering prop has experienced an unusual career path, not playing Super League until the age of 27 with Warrington Wolves having failed to initially make the grade as a junior at Castleford Tigers.

Instead, he cut his teeth in the second tier with Gateshead Thunder, Dewsbury Rams and Featherstone Rovers before Wolves chief Tony Smith gambled on the giant front-row making the step up.

England did just that, making 33 Super League appearances over the last two seasons and certainly not looking out of place.

He played in the 2014 Grand Final and the World Club Challenge last year but the 100-plus mile round-trip from his Dewsbury home eventually took its toll and he asked for a release.

Wakefield signed him on a two-year deal and they hope the player, who stands at six foot five inches, will bring the sort of steel and go-forward that ensures they do not slip into a relegation dogfight as occurred last term.

With barely three weeks until the start of the new season against Widnes Vikings, England said: “It’s good to be back in God’s country.

“I do love it over here, there’s a lot less travel for me and it does give me more time to do the things I perhaps didn’t get time to do travelling to Warrington.

“I loved it at Wolves – they had great facilities, people and coach – but it was just time for me to come back to Yorkshire as I think the travel did get to me.

“I’m looking forward to the start now.

“I’ve no points to prove. I just want to get a good season under my belt and carry on from where I left off at Warrington.”

His stint in Cheshire was not without incident; England was banned for four games and fined £300 after spitting at Huddersfield Giants captain Danny Brough last June.

However, he certainly has the hulking frame and power to be one of Super League’s most destructive forwards in 2016.

Trinity coach Brian Smith, the veteran Australian, is known for bringing the best out of players.

“Obviously, I worked with Tony, his brother,” said England, when asked if working with him was part of the attraction.

“People were telling me they are similar but they are not; they are totally different people.

“Any coach in Super League I’d love to work with because I obviously know the background of where they come from, but here is really exciting to see how it kicks on during the season.

“I’ve got the 10 shirt which I’m obviously pleased about, too. I suppose it’s like the team; I just need more consistency and, hopefully, I’ll hold my place in that starting 13.

“For the last couple of years, Wakefield have just (lacked) a bit of consistency.

“But they have a great coach and people who are willing to learn – so it’s up to us to really kick on now.”

Meanwhile, Hull FC’s former New Zealand prop Feka Palea’aesina, 32, will remain at the club when he hangs up his boots after being appointed as their new player welfare officer.

Second-row Josh Jones is looking for a move back to Super League, just four months after leaving St Helens for Premiership rugby union club Exeter Chiefs.

That could alert Huddersfield Giants, who are seeking a replacement for Brett Ferres after selling him to Leeds Rhinos.