After two years in the international wilderness, Leeds Rhinos hooker Andy Ackers has vowed to force his way back into England contention.
Ackers was called into England’s 2022 World Cup squad after an outstanding season with Salford Red Devils.
A try scorer in a 50-0 rout of Fiji in a warm-up game, he earned two caps during the tournament’s group stage, making his full international debut as a substitute when France were beaten 42-18 and then scoring a brace of tries as a starter in a 94-4 rout of Greece.
He hasn’t featured since, with Leeds-born Michael McIlorum being England’s first-choice hooker for the World Cup and Daryl Clark, Danny Walker, Jez Litten and Brad O’Neill all getting the nod over the past two seasons, while 2024 Man of Steel Mikey Lewis has combed half-back and hooking duties.
The Wigan-born former Swinton Lions, London Broncos and Toronto Wolfpack man faces stern competition for a place in coach Shaun Wane’s plans, but insisted this year’s Ashes are “definitely on my mind”.
Ackers told Serious About Rugby League: “Once you have had a taste of that England honour, you want to do it again.
“It is a goal of mine and if I can keep myself as fit as possible and keep learning, taking advice from Brad [Arthur, Leeds Rhinos’ coach] and my teammates, it is something I can achieve.
“I really want to be part of that England squad again. I just have to keep putting my best foot forward and open my mind a bit more, take it all in and do what’s good for me.”
The last Ashes series was 22 years ago, when Great Britain were beaten in all three Tests.
England haven’t played Australia on home soil since the Four Nations in 2016 and the nations’ most recent meeting was the following year when the Kangaroos battled to a 6-0 World Cup final victory in Brisbane.
The venue for this year’s Tests has yet to be confirmed, but looking ahead to the prospect of a home Ashes series, Ackers stressed: “It would be good, for the fans and everybody involved in the England community.
“As a rugby league player you want to test yourself against the best and the Australians are the best at the moment and have been for numerous years.
“If you test yourself against the best, you are only going to get the best out of yourself and the team, so I am sure people will be looking forward to that.”
Ackers knows his Test prospects will be boosted if Leeds Rhinos have a better season as a team.
And with boss Brad Arthur cracking the whip in pre-season and a squad strengthened by five recruits in key positions, he reckons the signs are positive.
“The accountability Brad has brought in means there’s no mediocrity,” Ackers stated.
“That’s what he demands and I think that’s what he is going to get out of his players this year.
“I have never felt as fit in my life; I am a bit lighter this year, which I think I have benefited from in the pre-season and it’s just about consistency, staying up there all the year and not taking your foot off the gas if we get a couple of wins.”
