Andy Lynch is ready to make the most of his Great Britain chance after admitting: I wasn't even expecting a shot.

The talented Bulls prop finally wins his first cap against France at Headingley Carnegie tomorrow night.

It is a richly deserved reward for his consistently unstinting efforts in Super League and the manner in which he bounced back from a shattering double leg and ankle fracture last year.

"I'm very excited," admitted Lynch. "My main aim was just to get back playing at the start of the year so this is a real big bonus.

"I didn't expect it. Before anything got said, it never even crossed my mind and it was a bit of a surprise.

"After the injury, I just wanted to get back playing with Bradford and keep improving.

"When I was younger it was always a dream to play for GB but I never thought it would actually happen. Now it is, it is a real buzz but I've got to put in a good performance."

It is the fact that Lynch has delivered "good performances" for the last three years, raising his game further still in recent weeks, that he is in Tony Smith's first international side.

He has been one of the top props in Super League throughout that time but, at 27, it looked like the game's ultimate accolade might somehow pass the former Castleford forward by.

Injury ruined his chances of Tri-Nations duty last season and he said: "It has been a long time coming but I've never really thought about it.

"I've just kept my fingers crossed and if it happens, it happens. If not, my main priority has always been Bradford.

"Things have been going well there but it's not just me, it's one to 17. Everyone has stepped up.

"There may be one or two stand-out players but everyone is playing at a really high level."

A typically hard-working display tomorrow should see Lynch go a long way to booking his place in the squad for this Autumn's Test series with New Zealand but he said: "There's ten Super League games after this and I've got to keep that form and keep improving.

"There's some quality players as well who have been rested tonight, like Jamie Peacock, Stuart Fielden and a few others, so you can't rely on one Test."

Determined Lynch added: "This is probably the biggest game I've played yet and after that there's the World Club Challenge.

"I've played France a few times with England and you know it's always going to be physical.

"It's just like when you play Catalans. You expect a tough match, head-high tackles, you name it."

He admits he has turned to club-mate Joe Vagana for some tips on how to approach the Test match arena.

"Joe's been a bit of a childhood hero of mine," said Lynch.

"I used to watch him when I was a kid. He's given me a bit of advice about what to expect."

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