Being recalled to the Great Britain squad marked the end of the most

difficult time in Leon Pryce's career.

After being overlooked for international selection two years ago due to an ongoing court case that could have seen him jailed, and then missing out again last year having dislocated his shoulder in the play-off victory over Leeds Rhinos, Pryce admits he fell out of love with rugby league.

Now, with a third Grand Final winner's ring on his finger and the Harry Sunderland Trophy on his mantelpiece, Pryce is ready to again make his mark on the international stage.

"It has been the toughest time of my career," admitted St Helens-bound Pryce.

"I came onto the scene with such a big bang but the last couple of years have been pretty quiet and I kind of fell out with rugby. But for the first time in a while I have started to enjoy my rugby again.

"The court case dragged on for quite a long time and it was quite a scary time for me. It made me realise that rugby league wasn't everything in life. It gave me a massive sense of perspective.

"Since then I've settled down and probably grown up a hell of a lot over the last two years. I've come to the point in my career when I've really started to enjoy my rugby again and started to appreciate playing for my country."

The Bulls may have won the 2003 Grand Final but the win left Pryce feeling empty.

"I had to go to court the next day," he recalled. "We may have won the game but, on a personal level, it was only a game. I could have been going to jail the next day.

"But now all that negative stuff is out of the way, I've relaxed and grown up a little bit more. I feel a lot more comfortable. I'm delighted to be back."

Still just 23, Pryce believes his best years are in front of him but to fulfil his potential he felt he had to leave the Bulls.

He explained: "I think at Bradford I got a bit too relaxed. I wanted a kick up my backside and I wanted to take my game to the next level. With a new group of players, a new coach and new training, I think I can do that."