High Noone for Forshaw's pupil (From Warrington Guardian)

High Noone for Forshaw's pupil

PAUL Noone will take on the task of succeeding a Rugby League legend with the words 'you may never be able to see again' still ringing in his ears.

That was the shock news which greeted Noone after a heavy collision with David Mills' shoulder in Warrington Wolves' festive friendly with arch-rivals Widnes.

The resultant bleeding and loss of vision scared the life out of Noone and the timing of the injury could not have been worse.

For Noone had just received the news he had been waiting for since he joined the club at the age of 14 - that he is Wolves' first-choice loose forward.

Mike Forshaw's retirement, following a glittering club and international career, opened the door to Noone being given the number 13 shirt in this year's squad listings. Noone admits that he faces a mammoth task in trying to fill Forshaw's boots but he feels ready for the challenge.

The 24-year-old is confident of having a successful season and his ultimate goal is international recognition.

Forshaw was a Great Britain great at his peak and Noone is hoping to jump into his shoes on all fronts.

Noone said: "I'm delighted to have been given the number 13 shirt. It's given me a great boost but I've got big boots to fill in taking over from Mike Forshaw. He taught me a lot. Every time he played at loose forward last year I watched him like a hawk. I know what he did for the team and I know what I've got to do to be a success as his replacement."

He added: "When I injured my eye against Widnes, I was told that I might never be able to see again. In situations like that, they have to prepare you for the worst and it was a huge relief when I took my eye patch off the next day and I could see. I had to rest for three weeks to get my blood pressure down as blood had gone into my pupil. But gradually my eye improved and I eventually got my vision back completely. It was a long process and a very big scare.

'I haven't had much luck with injuries lately, having missed the end of last season with a fractured leg. But I'm fit for the start of the season and hopefully I have had my injury for this year. I want to play in every game and I know I'm going to have a big season. My aims are to play well all year, score more tries and do a lot more in attack. If I do that then who knows what will happen at the end of the year.

'Martin Gleeson is the only current Great Britain international at Warrington and it would be great to follow him into the squad. But the aim for this year is to get in the England squad. Once you're in that, you can then look to push up."

Noone has had a long wait to be a first choice at Warrington. His versatility, which has seen him play at loose forward, second row, stand off, wing and centre, has enabled him to make plenty of first team appearances - 87 to be exact - but he is no longer satisfied with squad man status.

The former Great Britain Academy captain said: "I am willing to play anywhere for Warrington but I would like to have a settled place in the back row as that's where I'm best suited. 2005 is going to be a big year for me. I've got a year on my contract and then an option year, so I've got to play well this year to get my option year next year because I want to stay at Warrington.

'I've been here since I was a kid and I'd like to finish my career here if possible. Warrington have been good to me in the past and I want to pay the club back."

Noone has rebuked suggestions that Wolves do not have enough strength in depth in the forward department following the departures of Forshaw, Jerome Guisset, Darren Burns and Ian Sibbit.

He believes that they have a quality front five in Chris Leikvoll, Danny Lima, Paul Wood, Warren Stevens and Mark Hilton and he is excited by the arrival of New Zealand international second rower Logan Swann.

Noone said: "I think Logan will go well this year and with Chris, Danny, Paul, Warren and Mark in the squad, we'll have no problems bringing the ball forward. We let a couple of forwards go at the end of last season but we've still got good stability in the forwards and a good back line as well. Our outside backs should create plenty of tries and I'm confident of us finishing in the top six this year, if not the top four. We'll just have to see how the season unfolds."

Noone also gave a big thumbs up to close season signings Simon Grix and Andy Bracek. The back row forwards signed from Halifax and St Helens respectively will be joined in Wolves' first team squad by prop forward Steve Pickersgill, who has been promoted from the club's Academy ranks.

Noone sees big futures ahead for the teenage trio. He said: "All three of them have really

impressed me. They have played well in the pre-season friendlies and they are getting better and better in training. You can see them growing in confidence and that's all that they need. They will do well this year if and when they get their chance."