Hodgson relishing Roby challenge

Josh Hodgson says he is relishing the competition with James Roby for England‘s starting hooker position.

With Warrington rake Daryl Clark overlooked, Hodgson and St Helens captain James Roby are battling it for the number 9 shirt.

Hodgson made his England debut in the Four Nations last year while Roby debuted for Great Britain in 2006.

The Saints star has made over 20 appearances for England and has been a mainstay of the international set-up.

Hodgson said he has enjoyed the competition as England gets ready to face the Kiwis in the three Test series.

“It’s been good, he’s a great fella,” the Canberra Raiders hooker said.

“I’ve been rooming with this year and he’s great bloke to talk to and to learn from in training.

“He’s been at the top of his game now for Saints and for England for a long time.

“It’s great to have that competition when you’ve got Daryl Ckark, James Roby, Michael McIllorum and even people like Danny Houghton that sometimes get overlooked.

“It’s great for me as a player to have that competition, it just pushes you more.”

Whoever gets the nod for England against New Zealand will come up against arguably the best hooker in the world, in Souths and Kiwi rake Isaac Luke.

“When you’re a kid and looking at playing the best players you want to be against the best in the world and he’s definitely one of them,” Hodgson said.

“It will be good to play against your opposite number when they’re that calibre of player.

“I’ll be looking forward to that but I’ll be more concentrating on ourselves as a team and making sure we’re doing the right things that we practiced.”