MARK Percival admits St Helens star Ben Barba being cleared of serious injury is a huge boost – because he’s simply the best.
But the man known as ‘The Prince’ has been told he can go to the very top of the game by the player he looks up to.
Aussie full-back Barba had everyone worried when he was stretchered off at Salford after 10 minutes treatment with his neck in a brace.
But even though he went to hospital for scans, he was told he had not done long-term damage and was greeted on Monday morning by his team-mates at training with a guard of honour like a returning serviceman!
And few are more relieved than England centre Percival, who is in no doubt where the 28-year-old ranks on the list of players he has featured alongside.
He said: “Ben’s the best player I’ve ever played with, so to not have him on the pitch for a long time would’ve been devastating.
“It would’ve been a massive blow. Ben’s a brilliant player but before he went off I spoke to him and he said he’s all right.
“However, if he was badly injured I’d have rather he’d been out for a long time and trying to get his health right than try to rush back.”
Ahead of tonight’s clash with Catalans Dragons, Barba himself repaid the compliment to Percival, saying: “We dont call him the prince for no reason. I was shocked with how young he is and how he can be so dominant in a game.
“He’s still learning and still has a long way to go. The sky’s the limit for someone like Prince if he gets it right.”
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