Widnes Vikings forward Callum Field is targeting a more permanent starting role after a series of strong displays in the opening weeks of the Betfred Championship season.
The 26-year-old has started the last six games for the Vikings, having made his previous five appearances from the bench.
Now Field hopes to build a partnership with fellow front-rower Owen Farnworth, after the pair impressed last time out against Barrow Raiders.
“I think [starting matches] just settles my nerves a lot quicker,” he said.
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“You get thrown into the game and you either have a kick-off carry or you’ve got to try and whack someone – there’s no two ways about it!
“With Farnsy [Owen Farnworth], he’s an unreal player, as everyone saw last year. He’s had a bit of illness at the start of this year, which is probably why he struggled in his first game back, but he killed it [against Barrow Raiders].
“He played amazing, so a starting partnership with him, I wouldn’t mind it.”
On a personal level, Field believes making the permanent move to Widnes has been a positive step forward.
He signed permanently from Featherstone Rovers during the off-season, having spent time on loan at the Vikings last season.
“I came last year, and it’s a bit here and there with your performances when you’re on loan,” he admitted.
“This year, I’ve signed and settled in a lot more. I feel a lot more confident with the boys and the staff, so I’m loving it.
“It’s a half-hour down the road from me, whereas I was driving an hour and a half prior to this.
“I feel fresher when I get to training, which means I can train better, play better, and that’s what we need.”
Field accepts that there is plenty of competition at prop forward, with the likes of Farnworth, Kyle Amor, Lewis Hatton, Will Tilleke and Ant Walker also pushing to feature in John Kear’s matchday squad.
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He believes healthy competition is a good thing as players continue to up their standards on a weekly basis.
“At the start of the year, we’ve all looked at each other, thinking ‘there’s too many props here’.
“But it’s great for team morale. Everyone’s on board with it and we train hard to get our spots.”
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