SAINTS centre Mark Percival is hoping that he has done enough to impress Wayne Bennett and secure an England starting spot for the first New Zealand test, writes Nathan Okell.

The 24-year-old would relish testing himself against some of the world’s best players.

Percival was deemed third-choice centre during last year’s World Cup campaign, with Bennett instead opting for John Bateman and Kallum Watkins.

But he was selected in England’s 44-6 thumping of France at Leigh last week.

Lining up outside hat-trick hero Tom Johnstone for the game, Percival has turned his sights to the daunting Kiwi opposition, with the impressive Joey Manu being the likely opposite number.

“I’ve watched Manu all year and he’s a great player, so it would be a massive test for me against him if I am selected,” said Percival.

“He’s a couple of years younger than me and he’s just won the league in Australia with Sydney Roosters, so he’s doing well.

“He’s a great player and I want to test myself against the best in the world and do my country proud.

“I’m sure he will as well so it would be a good battle.”

Manu caught the eye in the Kiwis’ upset of Australia two weeks ago, scoring a try and setting up another with a superb one-handed offload, and Percival believes that the match-up would give him a good indication of where his own game is at.

“He has a great fend so it would be tough against him, but that’s what you play international rugby for,” said the England hopeful.

“You’re not there to play against somebody who is not going to be any good and he’s obviously a great player.

“I’ve loved watching him this year so it would be a good test of me as a player, and fingers crossed I can come out on top.”

England have been steadily improving under Bennett, and, for Percival, the game against France was a good re-introduction for the players to the international scene.

“I felt the game went alright in parts. I was a bit rusty out there but it was a good game to get involved in.

“I thought we controlled the game well in the first half and there was a lot of space for everyone to work in.

“Credit to France though. They kept going and controlled us in the second half a little bit and we struggled, but overall we’re happy with the performance.”

The headlines in the papers, however, were stolen by Wakefield winger Tom Johnstone, whose hat-trick on debut playing outside of Percival is sure to give Bennett plenty of selection headaches come Saturday.

“He’s a brilliant winger, he scores tries all year and that’s why he’s in this squad,” said Percival.

“He’s playing really well, scored three great tries and it’s a pleasure to play inside him.”

For Saturday’s test match at the KCOM Stadium, Hull, Percival believes England will be ready for whatever New Zealand throw at them, and that the gap between them and the southern hemisphere sides is narrowing.

The victory over the Kiwis in America in June lends to that belief.

“It’s just about doing our job, and if we do it to the best that we can, we’ll give ourselves the best chance of winning,” he said.

“We did that when we won this series back in 2015, and hopefully I can be a part of this side and try and do that again.

“In the World Cup we came six points from beating Australia in Australia in the final, and that shows how far we’ve come since Wayne Bennett took over. It’s a massive step for international rugby in England.

“He’s turned us into a team that are not just happy playing, but one that is beating the top teams like we saw in Denver, so I’m really looking forward to the future.”

Percival also thinks that Bennett and Saints boss Justin Holbrook share a similar coaching philosophy, with an emphasis being placed on each player doing their own job and the basics well.

“They both have a basic approach, but they know that you need to do your job as a player and not let anyone down,” said Percival.

“You just need to concentrate, run hard and tackle hard, and I think that a lot of Aussie players do that.

“They just do their job and that’s what both Wayne and Justin expects from us as players – to do our best and if we do that they’re both happy.”

After suffering disappointment with Saints in the Super League semi-final against Warrington, Percival is glad of having something to focus on in earning his England place.

“I’m happy that I’ve had England to take my mind off it,” he said.

“Watching the final on the Saturday was probably one of the hardest things I’ve had to do, but that’s sport – we’ve got to go again next year and hopefully try and win some silverware.”

He added: “It was disappointing to end the season the way we did with two losses in two big games, but we can’t really sulk about it.

“We’ve got things to crack on with for England and hopefully I can secure my spot in the side for the first test on Saturday.”