Hull FC v Warrington Wolves - Josh Griffin ‘gutted’ at missing out on Greg Inglis clash

The Australian superstar, who used to inflict such fear in defences, is still not yet ready for his Super League debut and is once more not included in Warrington Wolves’ squad for the trip to KCOM Stadium.

Former Queensland State of Origin centre Inglis, 34, has not played for two years ago and is still building up his fitness after coming out of retirement to join Warrington. Fellow centre Griffin, who has started the campaign in superb form and is just one try short of 100 career touchdowns, said: “I am a bit gutted.

“I’d have liked to have a go with him. When he was playing before he was probably the best centre in the world and is someone I’ve looked up to over my career; the things he has done are surreal.

“It’d have been nice to take the field with him but hopefully it comes another time in the year.”

Hull hope to make it four wins from four outings so far but expect one of their toughest tests.

“Warrington are a fantastic team, full of star players and have done a good number on us a couple of times in the last few seasons,” said Griffin, Wolves winning 80-10 in 2018, 63-12 the following year as well as last season’s 38-4 success on their last trip to the KCOM Stadium.

“But we’re taking a lot of confidence from the last time we played them in the play-offs last year and the job we did then (a win at Halliwell Jones Stadium).

“The way we’re playing and the confidence we’re playing with at the moment, we’d like to think we could go do a job again.”

Meanwhile, the uncapped Griffin, who trained with Shaun Wane’s national squad on Tuesday and will look to outplay another England hopeful Toby King tomorrow, is looking to extend his contract which expires at the end of the season.

Griffin, 30, said: “I’m open to negotiations and I’m going to let my rugby do the talking.

“It’s not something I’m too worried about. I’d like to think I’m staying at Hull; there’s no reason for me to leave. I’m settled in the area now, have played my best rugby over here, this is my fifth season now and there’s no reason for me to even think about going anywhere else.”

Hull could give a debut to outside back Mitieli Vulikijapani who has signed on a one-year deal after he was granted release from active service in the British Army.

He has followed a similar path to fellow Fijian Ratu Naulago, the winger who proved such a hit for Hull after joining from the Army before switching to Bristol Bears last autumn.

“I watched a lot of rugby league when I was young but I didn’t get the chance to play,” said Vulikijapani, who excelled on trial.

“However, having played plenty of rugby union sevens in my career, the two are quite similar in terms of the speed and physical one-on-one battles.”

Hull are without Manu Ma’u who tore a calf last week and will miss a month of action but Marc Sneyd returns. Wolves welcome back England duo Gareth Widdop and Mike Cooper.

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