SAINTS' Player of the Year Luke Thompson added another notch to an impressive season by scoring on his England debut - but the big front rower is not done yet.

Thompson brought his typically robust, high-intensity impact to play against France in Leigh last night and was rewarded with a first half try in the 44-6 win.

But now he wants to take that up a level and work his way into coach Wayne Bennett's thoughts for the start of the three match test series with New Zealand, which begins in Hull on on 27 October.

Speaking after the game Thompson said: "I was made up to make my debut - I really enjoyed it out there, particularly getting the try.

"I pushed up the middle and it was a great offload from Adam Milner and was lucky to get over.

"It was not hard for me to get up for the game - my first for my country and I could not wait to get out there."

England were skippered last night by former Saints captain James Graham - a player at the other end of the cap spectrum by making his 41st appearance.

And for Thompson it was particularly special to pack down with one of his boyhood heroes.

"It was an absolute pleasure playing with James , someone I looked up to when I was a kid. He was one of my idols growing up and so to get out there and play alongside him was really enjoyable," he said.

However, he is not over-awed or star-struck by the occasion - and although England is very well blessed with front rowers, Thompson form this year puts him in a strong position to stake his claim.

He said: "I am confident in my ability and what I have done this season, so come into this camp with confidence. I am around some idols out there - when I went to Denver I was with Sam Burgess and James Graham, players I looked up to as a kid.

"Missing out on Denver made me really kick on for this part of the season. That did drive me on to kick on in the second half of the season, performing each week.

"I am made up to get the shot.

"It is great to be rewarded and it makes you want to keep pushing when you reap the rewards.

"It is worth all the hard work and makes you want to keep working hard and stepping up and achieving.

I did my by best there, hopefully that will be good enough to give me a shot against the Kiwis. Coach Wayne Bennett said well-played and he was pleased with my performance, hopefuilly that will get me a shot.

"The Kiwis have got a great squad, they beat the Aussies last week. They have some big mobile forwards and that would be a good test for me if I get a shot."

For Thompson - and the for that matter Mark Percival, Jonny Lomax and Tommy Makinson in the England squad, Matty Lees in the Knights and Theo Fages with France - the international season does give those players time on the field to get the disappointing way the Saints season ended out of their system.

Thompson said: "It is good for us England lads to have this focus after the way the season ended.

"The semi final hurt and it will hurt for a while longer, but this will give us something else to focus on."