'Man of Steel' Clark eyes Australia move

10 October 2014 12:16

Newly-crowned Man of Steel Daryl Clark has said he wants to become the latest English player to take part in Australia's National Rugby League.

However, supporters of Warrington -- the club he will be joining from Super League rivals Castleford next season -- can rest assured he will be coming to the Wire for the new campaign.

The 21-year-old hooker completed the rare double of being named both Man of Steel (Super League's player of the season) and young player of the year on Wednesday.

Clark has signed a four-year contract with Warrington but wants one day to test himself in Australia, where six members of the 24-strong England squad, in which Clark was included, for the upcoming Four Nations tournament currently ply their trade.

"I'm a massive fan of the NRL," Clark said. "I watch pretty much every game. I've got them on series link and I watch them on my days off through the week.

"One day I would like to go there and test myself but I want to establish myself in Super League first. Maybe in a few years' time."

Clark was always likely to be a member of the England party touring Australia and New Zealand but is now set to be their first-choice hooker following the withdrawal of St Helens' James Roby with an ankle injury.

"He wished me luck and said he hopes we go over there and play well," Clark said of Roby. "They are big shoes to fill. He's been outstanding for a few years.

"I'm just looking to go there and enjoy it. It's something new for me, I've never been involved with the England set-up.

"It's going to be tough but that's what you want to do, test yourself against the best players in your position to see where you stand."

Clark has been training two days a week with England's fall-out squad since Castleford exited the play-offs and they will be joined by the seven-strong Wigan contingent involved in Saturday's Grand Final on the plane to Australia next Tuesday.

Source: AFP