Crabtree: Origin is crucial

England giant Eorl Crabtree thinks Friday’s International Origin will be pivotal in the build-up to the World Cup.

Crabtree, 30, is part of the 20-man squad spending a week at the Loughborough University base and he thinks the experience will be vital.

He said, “This is going to be the most intense game any of us will play all season until the World Cup starts so we need to make the most of it.

“Some people have labelled the International Origin match as a sort of warm-up for us but that’s not something I agree with. This is a test for us and a massive game for the group.”

Friday’s game at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium will be the Huddersfield forward’s 13th cap for his country.