Fox's self-belief pays dividends with starring role in Smith's brave new world

The sky's the limit: Peter Fox (left) gets his instructions from Tony Smith

He failed to demonstrate his worth to England coach Tony Smith when the Australian was in charge of Leeds Rhinos and had to move on to home-town club
York before eventually being given his chance in Super League.

Two years ago Fox was plucked from the obscurity of part-time rugby by Wakefield coach John Kear and, after an impressive debut season in the top flight, was snapped up by Hull KR.

Another eye-catching series of displays brought him to the attention of Smith, who will give him his England debut in Friday's Gillette international against France in Toulouse.

With the benefit of hindsight, Fox is now able to appreciate Smith's original decision to offload him to the City Knights, where he was able to command regular first-team rugby.

'I was definitely disappointed with the decision but, looking back now, it was the right one,' he said.

'I've matured a lot as a player and back then I don't think I was ready. So I think Tony was right in doing what he did. It's made me the player I am today.'

Fox was behind Lee Smith and Danny Williams in the pecking order at Headingley
and he also found his path to the first team blocked when he first arrived at Wakefield.

Tying up loose ends: Peter Fox

'John Kear took me in, he believed in me, although I wasn't actually the number one winger at Wakefield,' he added.

'Waine Pryce was in front of me, so I had to stake a claim there.

'Throughout my career, I've constantly had to prove to people that I'm good
enough to be there. Patience and determination has got me where I am today.'

Fox is set to play outside veteran Leeds centre Keith Senior against the French, with a host of former team-mates inside.

He came through the ranks at Headingley alongside half-backs Danny McGuire and
Rob Burrow and has also been a team-mate of St Helens' England prop James
Graham.

'I went on tour to Australia and New Zealand when I was 16,' he explained.

'It was a combined youth team. A lot of us had just signed on with Super League teams and were also playing amateur.

'I had signed for Leeds and James Graham, who had joined St Helens, was also
on the tour.'