Benny back to front (From Warrington Guardian)

Benny back to front

WHAT an asset a player would be if he could perform in any position on a Super League pitch.

Warrington Wolves' Ben Westwood is willing to have a go at laying claims to being that player after his first taste of life in the front row.

Westwood, the player of the tournament as an England centre in the autumn's European Nations Cup tournament, spent 35 minutes of Sunday's defeat at London Broncos in the prop forward position.

It was not planned that way but the ligament injury to substitute prop Paul Wood, five minutes after he had replaced a first strike prop, meant Benny, as his teammates know him, had the fresh legs to be thrown in at the deep end.

He made an impact and scored a try in his first 17-minute stint and had a match-equalling touch down ruled out for a knock on over the line in his second spell on the field.

The 24-year-old ex-Wakefield player said: "That's the first time I've ever played in the pack, never mind the front row.

"To tell you the truth, I really did enjoy it in the middle. I was tired after my first stint but maybe if Paul Wood is going to be out injured then I might have to switch there until he is fit again.

"That's obviously up to Paul Cullen to work out whether he needs me there or in the second row or whether he doesn't need me at all. But I do like the physical stuff and hopefully I may be able to get to play prop again."

Westwood has the size, strength, aggression and added athleticism to be a success at number 10 and the extra pace that he has could make him a lethal weapon against tiring opponents.

He added: "Who knows, I could cover everywhere from wing to prop for the team. As long as I'm in the team, I'm not bothered.

"With Toa Kohe-Love and Martin Gleeson joining the club I've had to work harder than ever before to get into the team and maybe my work on Sunday will keep me in the team for another week.

"I'm just pleased with myself for how I went on at prop and had a go. I'd put 100 per cent in wherever I play so it doesn't really matter to me if I'm playing prop, centre, full back or wing."

Leigh are Warrington's opponents on Sunday and Westwood said they looked in good physical shape in their opening day defeat to Huddersfield.

He continued: "Hopefully Leigh at home will be a win for us. I watched them on television against Huddersfield and they didn't do too badly.

"They put a lot of effort in and I'm sure they'll do the same again at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

"They looked pretty fit that night but they'll come up against a Warrington side that will be giving their best shot to gain their first win of the season."