WOOD ON TOP

Surprise England debut caps Sam turnaround

- PAYE GRAYEN

HE struggled to hold down a Hull KR spot last year yet stunned Sam Wood is now preparing for his England debut.

The rangy centre left the Robins at the end of last season after becoming frustrated with a lack of regular game time.

He joined one of Super League’s lesser lights in Castleford and earned that starting slot he craved.

But even Wood did not envisage it ending with him being drafted into Shaun Wane’s squad for today’s midseason Test against France in Toulouse.

Wood, who turns 27 next month, said: “It was a calculated move. I wanted some game time.