Smith acknowledges England disappointment

Wigan scrum half Matty Smith has admitted that he was acutely disappointed to miss out on playing in the first two Tests of England‘s recent series win over New Zealand.

Smith’s club-mate George Williams partnered Gareth Widdop in the England halves for the first two games, before Smith was selected at number seven in the decisive Third Test.

“I really enjoyed the camp, and spending five weeks there,” Smith told Love Rugby League.

“Obviously I wanted to play, and I was frustrated I wasn’t playing.

“But I think that the group we had in camp, and the way they did it was great.

“St George’s Park has unbelievable facilities.

“It was great, but there was frustration as well.

“I want to play for my country on the biggest stage, I can’t lie about that.

“But I got the opportunity, thankfully, in that last Test, and we got a win that we desperately needed.”

Smith is well aware of just how important it was for England to enjoy some tangible success ahead of the big challenges to come soon.

“It’d been a few years since we’d won anything at international level,” he said.

“We’re going into a massive tournament this year in the Four Nations, and the World Cup after that.

“So it was important that we had a bit of success leading into those competitions.”