There is no better hooker right now: Andy Ackers backed for England

Andy Ackers is the best hooker on current form in Super League, and if Shaun Wane picks on form he will make England’s World Cup squad.

That’s the view of Ackers’ friend and former Salford team-mate Gil Dudson, with the Wales international urging Wane to consider the Red Devils star for this autumn’s tournament.

With James Roby confirming he will not be reversing his international retirement, Michael McIlorum and Daryl Clark are the frontrunners for the squad, alongside Paul McShane and Kruise Leeming.

But the form of Ackers in Salford’s phenomenal end of season run, means he cannot be ignored according to Dudson.

“At the minute his form is absolutely sensational,” Dudson told the Love Rugby League podcast.

“He is absolutely tearing teams apart. There are things that fans might not notice but as someone who has played with him I can see certain parts of his game that he has been working on.

“I don’t think it would be absurd to think Shaun Wane would be looking at him for England. I know Waney and he has always picked on form and said that publicly. At the minute I don’t think there is a better in-form hooker than Andy. It wouldn’t be absurd for him to be looking at him and for him to get the call up at all.

“His deception out of nine where he looks like he is going one way and is just so quick out of the ruck. His deception has got that good that the marker thinks he is going one way and the next minute he has gone.”

Andy Ackers and Salford aiming for Old Trafford

Dudson has signed for Warrington next season after two years with Catalans Dragons. He was at Salford before that, enjoying a run to the Grand Final with the Red Devils in 2019.

“Salford have been brilliant with a brand of rugby that you can’t help but enjoy watching. Throwing the ball around, everyone has a smile on their face.

“I’m good friends with Ackers and I loved my time there. After what happened at Widnes and what transpired there, to go to Salford was what I needed. At Widnes I was contemplating packing it all in the way it ended and then the offer came in from Salford as I had played for Ian Watson at Wales.

“That run we went on in 2019 was like something out of a movie. Even into 2020 making the Challenge Cup final, it was two of the best times I have had playing so Salford holds a fond place in my heart.”

PODCAST: Gil Dudson on Catalans red mist, winning Wigan, World Cup fears and reigniting Warrington

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