Jordan Abdull cancels holiday after ‘shock’ England call-up

Hull KR half-back Jordan Abdull is targeting a place at next year’s World Cup after his shock call up to the England squad.

Abdull, 25, helped the Robins within 80 minutes of a Super League Grand Final this season and is in line to partner Jonny Lomax against France on Saturday.

With Luke Gale and George Williams out through injury, it gives the former London Broncos man the chance to stake his claim for a place in Shaun Wane’s World Cup plans.

“Over the moon” – Jordan Abdull

He said: “I was obviously over the moon with the way I played with KR this year but not for a minute did I think I’d get the opportunity to play for my country.

“I was hoping the chance would come at some point in my career.

“But, once the shock wore off, it was a feeling of excitement and eagerness to get into training and meet Shaun and the players.

“I’m definitely going to try to take the opportunity with both hands now it’s here.

“I’d be a fool to just be happy to play just one game. Now I’ve had a little taste for what the England set-up is like, I want to be in there as many times as I can.

“I’d like to think it’s all in my own court at the minute, how I apply myself in the game against France if I get selected and then play as good as I can for KR and see what happens at the end of next year.”

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Abdull was due to fly out to Menorca for a family holiday, but pulled out to be available for the test match which will be shown live on BBC1.

He paid tribute to coach Tony Smith and assistant Danny McGuire for the developments in his game since he moved to Craven Park ahead of the 2020 season.