Fulton praise for Ellis

Wests Tigers back-rower Liam Fulton has praised England international and team-mate Gareth Ellis.

Ellis, who is due to join Hull FC for the 2013 season, has been missing for three months with a foot injury, but is expected to return against North Queensland Cowboys on Monday.

Fulton told The Daily Telegraph: “Gareth Ellis has no body fat, he has an ‘eight pack’, will run for 200m and leave six players being taken off on stretchers. He has to be the best forward I’ve ever played with.

“I’ve given him a big wrap, haven’t I? But ask anyone and they’ll vouch for that. He’s just a champion bloke and I really can’t wait to play with him this week and I am so happy he’s back.”

Wests currently occupy the final play-off berth in the NRL, and Fulton will be hoping Ellis’ return can push them to a repeat of their 2005 Grand Final victory.

Fulton, 27, made 15 appearances in a brief spell with Huddersfield in 2009, which sandwich his two stints with the Tigers.

He added: “Gareth’s the kind of guy everyone wants to play with. When you’re defending, you want to be standing next to him. He could be our ‘X-factor’ in the run home to the semis.”

Ellis, who made more than 100 Super League appearances for both Wakefield and Leeds before his move Down Under in 2009, has scored 10 tries in 67 appearances for the Tigers.