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David Craven

Mikolaj Oledzki issues clear statement of intent as he prepares for Rugby League World Cup debut

Leeds Rhinos prop Mikoaj Oledzki admits he must take his game to another level to force his way into Shaun Wane’s England plans for the World Cup knock-out stages. He will get a long-awaited shot to show what he can do against France on Saturday.

As a Super League Grand Finalist, Oledzki was left out of the side that beat Fiji 50-0 in their tournament warm-up. But he was also overlooked for the opener against Samoa when England ran riot with an impressive 60-6 victory.

Wane opted for South Sydney’s Tom Burgess and Huddersfield veteran Chris Hill as his starting props that day with three other front-rows - Luke Thompson, Mike Cooper and Matty Lees - all coming off the bench. But he promised that the seven players who didn’t feature would all get a run-out against France. Wigan’s Cooper and St Helens’ Lees are left out of his 19 and, so, Oledzki knows he will get his chance.

Read more: Mal Meninga weighs options as in-form Nathan Cleary prepares for Kangaroos debut at Rugby League World Cup

He said: “The lads played really well last week. Any chance that I get now, I need to make sure I do everything I can to show Waney what I'm capable of. The squad is full of world-class players. Unfortunately only 17 can go on the field but every time I get an opportunity I have to take it with both hands.

“It’s been a long year and it has been great to be picked in the squad and be part of this amazing journey. I’m over the moon to be here and to get a chance to run out this weekend. It’ll be amazing to get a rugby ball back in my hands and get to do what I love again.

“Putting that England jersey on again is a massive honour and really exciting. I need to make sure I keep my standards just as high or even go to another level playing this week.”

There’s no doubt that Oledzki - who played against France last autumn and earned a spot in the Super League Dream Team this year - is one of England’s top forwards when fit and firing. He did have a shoulder issue around the end of the domestic campaign.

But the 24-year-old insisted: “I feel great. I had a few weeks to rest and recover and get a few things I've been struggling with all year to get them right.

“I’m ready to go. I’m feeling fit. The French play with a lot of passion and they’ll be a different challenge to last week. They’ll be determined to give us a good, tough game. It will be a good test coming back. I've had a few weeks where I have not had a chance to play so it’s exciting to come in and test myself against their big men.”

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