AS he stands on the verge of becoming Warrington's most capped England player of all time, Chris Hill insists he will never retire from international duty.

The prop, who turns 31 on November 3, won his 26th England cap when he played in the 36-18 win over New Zealand in Denver in June.

Hill will overtake Wire teammate Ben Westwood’s number of caps the next time he pulls on the white jersey.

Only five players have played for England more times than Hill and he is set to be heavily involved in the three-match Test series against the Kiwis, which kicks off at Hull FC’s KCOM Stadium on Saturday.

Kevin Brown, another of Hill’s club teammates at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, retired from international duty earlier this year but the former Leigh man insists following suit is not on his mind.

He also believes a 3-0 series whitewash of the Kiwis, who arrive in England on the back of a Test victory over world champions Australia, is achievable for Wayne Bennett’s side.

“I’m buzzing to be involved and I’m more than ready. I want to get as many caps as I can before I do retire,” he said.

“As long as England want to pick me, I will be available.

“It makes the years long – I know that – but it’s something you’re not going to do forever.

“I’ll never pass on playing for my country.

“I think beating them 3-0 is achievable.

“It’s going to be touch as they have a much-improved side, but we know what we’re capable of.

“The game in mid-season was a good test for us in those conditions.

“We’re capable as a group and we have a lot of confidence.

“There’s a lot more experience that has come back in for them since Denver.

“The Bromwich brothers (Jesse and Kenny) are back, (Kevin) Proctor in the back row as well and (Joseph) Manu in the centres.

“There’s a lot of in-form players as well. It’s a good chance to test ourselves and it should be a good series.”

Hill captained The Wire in both major finals in 2018, but was on the losing side in both the Challenge Cup Final and, more recently, the Super League Grand Final.

However, rather than having a long break to reflect upon the disappointment of the 12-4 loss to Wigan at Old Trafford, Hill is grateful for the chance to take his mind off it by playing for England.

He also believes fellow Wolves front-rower Mike Cooper, who won The Wire’s player of the year award for 2018, can consider himself unfortunate not to be joining him in Bennett’s squad.

“I said to a few family members that getting back into it straight away was the best thing for me,” he said.

“Getting away with England gives me another focus.

“It is like going into another club. It has that sort of feel and that’s something we’ve built over the past five or six years.

“There’s a buzz of going back in and seeing the boys. Even after the final, guys like John Bateman and George Williams were coming over chatting about England.

“There’s still a good core of us, but we’ve also got lads like Sam Tomkins coming back in who have been here before.

“There’s still a lot of experience there against what looks like a very strong New Zealand side.

“I think Coops can probably consider himself a little bit unfortunate to not be selected.

“He’s been outstanding all year. That’s why he got our player of the year.

“It’s not my decision, that’s up to the selectors, and we do have a really good pack.

“Even with Sam Burgess out, we are strong with George (Burgess) coming back in.

“Coops may be a little unfortunate, but I’m sure he’ll take his time off to rest his body now.”