Gridiron fan Scott Taylor delighted with late England call

The prop only found out on Friday he would be flying to the USA for Saturday’s historic mid-season Test against New Zealand.

An injury to South Sydney’s George Burgess meant he was drafted into Wayne Bennett’s 19-man squad and he is now hoping to earn a place on match day.

“I’m not just saying this as we’re in Denver but I have been a big Denver Broncos fan for quite a few years now,” said Taylor.

“Look back on my Instagram. I am a big NFL fan and so I’m really looking forward to this chance to see this big NFL city. It would be surreal to play here; if someone said to me a year ago I’d have a chance to play at Mile High Stadium I’d have just laughed.

“You’d just think it would never happen and why would you play there? But, hopefully, I do, it’ll be massive and something to remember for a long time.

“Peyton Manning was my favourite (Denver) player but he’s been retired a long time. It’s more Case Keenum, Von Miller and Chris Harris now so I’ll be keeping my eyes open for all of them.”

Taylor played in Hull’s 14-10 defeat against Wigan Warriors on Saturday before joining his England colleagues.

He was part of the World Cup squad Down Under last autumn but did not make the original cut to face the Kiwis with Bennett naming George and Tom Burgess, James Graham, Chris Hill and uncapped St Helens tyro Luke Thompson as his front-rows.

The 27-year-old admitted: “I was gutted when I got the call I’d missed out on the original 19.

“I was disappointed. I’d worked out I’d be able to get a few days off from Hull to get away but when JP (England football manager Jamie Peacock) rang to say I was in I was delighted. Now I need to work hard to try get a spot.”

Taylor, who made his debut against France in 2016, believes he has a point to prove to Bennett.

“I’ve been involved with Wayne the last few years now and when I’m in camp I train hard and try and show what I’ve got and what I’m capable of,” he said.

“I feel in the games I’ve played I’ve done everything I can. I’ll keep doing that and doing everything I can to hopefully show I’m good enough. It might be enough to play this week.”

He is joined in the squad by Hull team-mate Jake Connor, the 23-year-old centre who hopes to make his Test debut against New Zealand.

Taylor said: “He’s a great kid and he knows a few of these boys from youth days but I’ll be there looking out for him.

“If you ask him, though, he’ll say he’s looking out for me! Jake’s a great player who deserves his call-up.

“I’m really chuffed for him and it’s good to see a familiar face; in the last few years in the main England squad I’ve been flying the Hull FC flag on my own. To get another FC lad in there is great so see and hopefully there’s more to come.”

Wigan stand-off George Williams - who has travelled - has been ruled out with a knee injury, but will not be replaced.