Wigan Warriors ace 'could become star in the NRL', according to GB legend

Zach Eckersley has been backed to kick on and become an even better player following his World Cup experience - by one of Great Britain's best ever players.

The 22-year-old made his England debut last month after a spectacular season for the Warriors at club level, which saw the Challenge Cup and the League Leaders' Shield secured.

Eckersley's 36 tries in 32 appearances saw him named in the Super League Dream Team, as well as selected by Brian McDermott for England's opening World Cup group tie against Tonga in Perth.

After recovering from an early fumble, Eckersley grew into the game, and was praised after the game by McDermott for the way he stuck at his task.

While Warrington's Matty Ashton was selected for games two and three, against France and Papua New Guinea, former GB skipper Schofield - who starred in Australia with Balmain Tigers and Western Suburbs Magpies during the 1980s - feels Eckersley enhanced his reputation on the biggest stage.

“Wigan fans won’t thank me for saying it, but I could see Zach heading to Australia and doing really well over there,” said Schofield, writing in his League Weekly column.

“That would improve him as a player and benefit England, because he would be operating in a more intense competition featuring better players.

“It was an eventful debut against Tonga, but it’s all part of the learning process, and you have to expect those ups and downs.

“Everyone remembers him scoring that Challenge Cup final try at Wembley when he was 20 (against Warrington in 2024), and it took him a little while to establish himself as a regular.

“Then you find that other teams and players get wise to you and you then have to find a way of stepping up yourself and finding that vital consistency, trying to hit those eight-out-of-ten or above performances as often as possible.

“I think Zach has been getting near that for Wigan this year, and it’s going to be really interesting seeing how he goes next time.”