Darrell Griffin is looking to establish himself with England after being selected for the Four Nations series in Australia and New Zealand.

The 29-year-old Huddersfield Giants prop, who hails from Witney, flies out to Auckland tomorrow as part of England’s 24-man squad to face New Zealand, Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Griffin has come a long way since trying out rugby league with Oxford Cavaliers.

He said: “I had a really consistent year this year. That is why I have been selected.

“There is really tough competition in my position.

“There is a friendly against New Zealand Maori when everyone will be involved.

“Hopefully if I can play well in that I can stake a claim.

“I have played three times before and once when it was effectively an England A side.

“I played against Wales two years ago as well as France and New Zealand, so I am looking for my fourth cap.”

Griffin, whose younger bother Josh is also at Huddersfield, added: “I have been there or thereabouts for a while.

“This is the fifth time I have made the training squad, but the first time I have made the final cut.

“There are five players in my position. If I can get myself a bench spot, I will be happy.

“Just to be thought good enough to be in that squad is awesome for me.”

Griffin is one of six Huddersfield players in the England squad, which reflects a fine season for the Yorkshire club.

“We were 25 minutes away from the Super League grand final when playing St Helens and also reached the Challenge Cup final,” he said.

All this is a far cry from his first forays in the 13-man code.

Griffin picked up an injury while playing union as a junior with Witney and joined Oxford Cavaliers to regain fitness over the summer.

“I was planning to go back and become a professional union player,” said Griffin who was a back-row forward.

“I played about seven games for the Cavaliers and got signed by London Broncos.

“I signed for Harlequins rugby union after that and thought that was my league career over.

“I did two years with their academy and half a year with the first team, but it didn‘t work out and I went back to league.

“I signed for Wakefield in 2003 and it has been league since then.”