MIKE Cooper made a historic England debut at the weekend and feels he has proven himself ready for Test rugby.

The 27-year-old prop, two seasons into his Australian NRL career with St George Illawarra Dragons after eight campaigns with Warrington Wolves, is now craving a shot at New Zealand in a three-Test series that starts at the KC Stadium in Hull on Sunday, kick off 5pm (live on BBC2).

He became only the second Warrington-born player – the first through Wolves’ ranks - to gain England honours in the Super League era when he came off the bench in an 84-4 demolition of France at Leigh Sports Village on Saturday. Wigan’s Joel Tomkins is the other to have made the achievement.

For Cooper, it feels like ‘upping sticks’ from familiar surroundings to make a new life for himself, his partner and young baby on the other side of the world is paying off.

“That’s a proud moment for me, playing for England is something I’ve always dreamed of doing,” said the former Latchford Albion junior and ex-Bridgewater High School student.

“I’m a very proud Warringtonian. Hopefully we get a few more coming through the system, first of all representing the club well and then representing the country.

“Especially for my amateur club as well, Latchford Albion. There’s not been too many players who have come through Latchford and gone on to play for England so I’m very proud to have been part of that set-up as well.

“It was a gamble going over to Australia. I worked hard, kept my head down and just focused on myself for a bit. Even moving away from family and friends was good for me to just focus on the RL career.

“Saturday was like going full circle to where I was before I left. It’s not finished yet, I want a Test jersey against the Kiwis and I want to beat them. This is by no means the end of what I’ve been trying to do. I want to continue to play for England and make sure I keep winning.”

Cooper made the England squad for last year’s Four Nations tournament Down Under but was not selected to play.

He feels this is his time to shine and that his good form in the NRL, where he squares up to the New Zealanders week-to-week, is a huge benefit to England against the Kiwis.

“It’s one of the reasons why I’ve been included in the squad, because I’ve done it against them all year round for two years now. I know what to expect,” he said.

“I know I’ve not played at Test level before but I know what’s coming. They’re a quality side, with big powerful players. We’ve just got to do what we do best.

“I think I had a good season over there. I started pretty much every game, only missing one through injury. We got to the semi finals in probably my best form.

“I feel I am ready to play international rugby league this time around. I think I’m in a better position than I was last year. I’m looking to make the most of it.”

Three current Wolves players are also vying for positions for England, whose conditioning chief is ex-Wolves staff man Chris Barron.

Chris Hill looks certain to feature after laying a strong platform alongside James Graham against France, though Ben Westwood and Ben Currie appear to have a battle on their hands after missing out on the 17 at the weekend.

Wolves’ first-team coach Richard Agar, in charge of the French team, and new Wire signing Benjamin Jullien, who started at centre for France, had an afternoon they will want to forget as their focus switches to a clash with Wales in Cardiff tomorrow, Friday.