Andy Ackers is ready for his England Test debut insisting: “It’s not really a step-up.”
The Salford hooker, 28, faces France on Saturday having missed the cut for the opening World Cup rout of Samoa. But he’s more than set for what’s to come at University of Bolton Stadium. Ackers said: “It's not really a step up. I've obviously not played in the World Cup yet but I played in the warm-up against Fiji and I didn't really think there was much of a step up there. But I guess when I get my opportunity I'll find out for real."
He will appreciate the chance more than most given he was still playing part-time with Swinton not long ago. Ackers didn’t turn professional until joining London aged 23. He recalled: "I got released from Wigan when I was 18 and went to Warrington (academy) when I was 19. It's not been a sweet journey. I've worked my socks off. I've not given up and I've persevered. I was doing everything work-wise - selling dogs, working with my dad on a building site, labouring.
