Vikings new boy White hot for Wales (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Vikings new boy White hot for Wales

6:28pm Wednesday 26th October 2011 in Vikings news By Mike Parsons

NEW signing Lloyd White will be Widnes Vikings’ only representative in the eagerly anticipated Gillette Four Nations series that kicks off this weekend.

Half back or hooker White, who has joined the Vikings stronghold on a three-year deal from Crusaders for the return to Super League, is in the Wales squad preparing to tackle England at Leigh Sports Village on Saturday, kick off 2.30pm (live on BBC1).

Wales can be grateful to White for their debut in this year’s elite international tournament because he kicked the vital penalty goal that secured Wales a nail-biting 12-11 victory in France last year to seal the European Nations crown and subsequent spot in the Four Nations. He was also named Man of the Series.

Despite that, his position in Saturday’s huge test against Jamie Peacock, Rangi Chase, James Roby, Adrian Morley, Sam Tomkins et al is by no means guaranteed.

White, the nephew of former Warrington, Wigan, Bradford, Leeds, Salford and Great Britain winger or full back Phil Ford, was at stand off again as Wales warmed up with a 30-6 victory over Ireland in Neath at the weekend, helping them on their way by setting up the opening try.

But on both occasions he was deputising in the number six shirt for skipper and Warrington stalwart Lee Briers, who returns to Iestyn Harris’ side for Saturday’s crunch opener.

White is no stranger to the hooking role under Harris and he may be called into that berth again during the series.

Whichever way it pans out, the Cardiiff-born 22-year-old looks set for a bright future with Widnes and at international level.

In fact, he is held with such high esteem by the governors of the international game that, along with Wigan’s Sam Tomkins, White played the ‘ambassador’ role when he helped to launch proceedings for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup at an event in Media City, Salford, last November.

White has proven himself as a genuine Welsh success story over the past few years, excelling as a youngster for both his university and club sides.

He was a student international and is a former Wales Under 18s star performer.

White made his first-team debut with Crusaders in 2009 but spent the majority of 2010 at South Wales Scorpions before returning to Wrexham for the 2011 season.