ARMED FORCE

Fired-up George puts body on line for the Lions

- BY DAN TOMLINSON

ENGLAND captain George Williams insists it would have taken losing “an arm” to make him miss the Ashes series against Australia this autumn.

The England skipper will lead his country out against the Kangaroos at Wembley this Saturday in what will be his first game of rugby league since August 29.

Battling a shoulder issue that saw him miss the end of the Super League season, there was no doubt in the 30-year-old’s mind that he would be ready for the first Test.

In fact, by Williams’ own account, he is fitter now than he was during the club season, with Ade Gardner, the former St Helens winger and now conditioner, getting him in prime shape to take on the Aussies.