TOBY King plans to make up for missing out last year when he lands in Papua New Guinea with the England Knights squad tomorrow, Thursday.

At the end of an injury-hit 2017 the blossoming Wire centre was selected alongside older brother George for the Ireland World Cup squad that was heading Down Under for matches in Australia and PNG, but he withdrew in order to focus on his fitness for a first season under new head coach Steve Price.

“I ended up pulling out and having a full pre-season with it being Steve Price’s first year,” said King, who established a dangerous right-flank partnership with Josh Charnley during 2018 and featured in the Grand Final ahead of fit-again experienced centre rival Ryan Atkins.

“I think it worked for me doing that but I was gutted not to be able to go out there and represent Ireland against Papua New Guinea.

“I’ve got the opportunity now instead.

“I’m really into going to other places and seeing other things, I love different cultures. I’ve been to Thailand and Brazil, but I’ve not been Down Under.

“Now I’m really excited to be going to Papua New Guinea. I’ve heard stories from lads saying how crazy it is for the love of the game and I can’t wait to see it for myself.

“Joe Philbin, who went last year with Ireland, said to expect the unexpected. It’s just crazy, they love you out there, and the fans in the stadiums are so passionate for the players. So, it’s best to just enjoy it, take it all in, because it’s very different.

“I want to win and I want to put in some really strong performances and knock on the door of the England first team.”

While Toby does his stuff with England Knights in Lae on Saturday and Port Moresby next weekend, older brother George will be continuing to pull on the green shirt for Ireland in their European Championships campaign.

“Pulling on an international shirt is such a proud moment,” said the Huddersfield-based 22-year-old.

“With Ireland, I felt I did my heritage proud. The England opportunity came up and I couldn’t really turn it down.

“With George playing for Ireland, me for England, it might be a bit weird.

“Ireland have always been really good to me. I’ve got a lot of passionate family in Ireland and they’ll probably be a bit upset I’m going to be playing for England but it’s one of them things. I’m really proud to be with England on this tour now.

“I represented England under 18s at academy level. We played Australian Schoolboys at Leigh and beat them, with fellow Warrington lads in the side – Jack Johnson and Sam Wilde. That was a good day.”

Like the other Knights players, King sees the tour as reward for the year’s hard work and has been named at right centre for the opening game.

“It’s nice to get a bit of recognition. I feel like it’s been a really good year at Warrington, despite the Grand Final loss,” he said.

King is gearing up for two almighty battles with the Kumuls.

“They’re very physical. They run the ball in hard and tackle hard, so we’re going to have to be really up for it and be ready to go to war with them,” he said.

After the tour, King is planning some recovery time before reporting to pre-season training with The Wire.

“I’ll have to ask Steve Price if can have a bit of rest when I get back – he might try to get me straight back in,” he said with a grin.

“A bit of rest, a holiday in Thailand again I think with my mates, then straight back into pre-season.”