McGillvary out to impress

It may only be a lack of international schedule that prevents Huddersfield winger Jermaine McGillvary from earning full England honours this season.

The winger, 23, has firmly established himself in the Giants line-up, finishing as the club’s top scorer last season and earning a call-up to the England Knights squad.

With the 2012 season around the corner, the former Batley and Barrow loanee is hoping to impress once again.

He told the club’s official website: “In my first season last year, I went alright, I really enjoyed it.  I’ve just got to concentrate on the good stuff I did last year and push on and hopefully I’ll make myself a better player.  

“I don’t necessarily think I’m a shoe-in for the side.  There’s a lot more outside backs in the squad than there was last year and I’ve just got to concentrate on doing my best and hopefully have a good season. That good competition will hopefully help me do that.”

England still don’t have any games scheduled for 2012, after Australia refused to welcome a tour Down Under, as they gear up for the 2013 World Cup. But for McGillvary, the focus is on Friday’s opening pre-season friendly against Castleford, as the Giants gear up for next month’s Super League opener against Wigan.

He added: “I’m looking forward to playing on Friday.  I’m definitely looking forward to getting out there; we haven’t played for a while.  It’ll be good for all the players really, especially the new ones, and we’ll get to know how they play so it’ll be good for them.”