Leeds legend Barrie McDermott has tipped current Rhinos prop Mikolaj Oledzki to earn a place in the England squad for the World Cup at the end of the year.
The 22-year-old made his first-team debut in 2017 and established himself as a pack leader last season, with his performances earning him a new four-year deal.
Oledzki will wear the number eight shirt for the Rhinos this year and McDermott – one of the club’s best front-rowers of the summer era – has backed the youngster to continue his rise.
“Mikolaj Oledzki will be in the England squad at the end of the season,” McDermott told Sky Sports. “I am confident about that.
“What we saw last year was him starting to string good performances together and he very quickly became somebody Richard Agar trusted.
“He was trusted to the point that if it was right for the team he started and if it wasn’t right for the team he was on the bench. But it wasn’t because he had options elsewhere.
“Mikolaj Oledzki is very strong, very powerful and he’s got all the right aspects to his game now.
“He’s still perfecting. They say it often: front-rowers don’t reach their peak until they’re in their mid-to-late 20s. But that doesn’t take into account how many games you’ve played.”
Oledzki has made 66 appearances for Leeds, while he has also had a taste of the international game with England Knights.
Born in Gdansk in Poland, Oledzki is breaking the mould.
“I know how proud he was to be the first Polish-born player to represent England,” said McDermott.
“How proud would he, his family and his family back in Gdansk be if he managed to play for England in a World Cup?
“Big things from that player, I’m confident of that.”
