Ben Flower will be back on the big stage at Old Trafford this weekend for a fifth appearance in the Super League Grand Final.
The Wigan and Wales rugby league forward already has two wins to his credit, both against this weekend’s opponents Warrington Wolves, but is probably best remembered for his red card in the 2014 final against St Helens.
The Cardiff-born prop, who played for Wales Under 20 at rugby union as a back row forward before heading north, lasted only three minutes of that game before receiving his marching orders for a brutal attack on Lance Hohaia.
His double punch assault earned him the first red card in Grand Final history and an unprecedented six month ban from the game. The 12-man Wigan Warriors lost the game 14-6, but a suitably repentant Flower was back for the 2015 and 2016 finals.
Wigan went down to Leeds Rhinos 22-20 in 2015 and beat Warrington 12-6 the following year. Now the 30-year-old Flower, who has played more than 150 games for Wigan and helped them to win the Challenge Cup in 2013 and the World Club championship in 2017, is aiming for a third Grand Final success.
He will also be hoping to use the game to showcase his talents to the Great Britain selectors ahead of next year’s Lions tour to Australia. The British side will be heading down under in 2019 and 2024 and Flower wants to be a part of the first GB team in a decade.
“I think I’m good enough to get in that squad and by the time selections are made I hope I’m playing well. There’s no other way to get in than play the best rugby you possibly can,” said Flower.
“It’s exciting and something that will be the last one for me. If it goes every four years then the next one I won’t get.
“This will be my best chance of getting a tour, but there are so many good props out there, the English lads throughout the NRL and the lads coming through Super League.”
