European Cup: London Broncos wing Kieran Dixon ready for England Knights debut

Kieran Dixon: Knights call up was a surprise for Broncos star

London Broncos winger Kieran Dixon will cap off a remarkable first season with his England Knights debut against Ireland on Saturday.

Dixon was promoted to the Broncos senior squad for 2012 after being spotted by the development team while playing for Hemel Stags.

And the 20-year-old has not looked back since making his Super League debut in the opening game against St Helens going on to make 27 appearances and scoring 16 tries.

But Dixon, who also scooped the club's player-of-the-season award, says his international call for the Alitalia Cup match in Belfast still took him by surprise.

"After my first year in Super League, I didn't expect to get a call-up to England Knights," he said. "I've gone from playing against other Super League players to training with them.

"I'm really looking forward to the game, I can't wait to play. I think we'll do fairly well and should come away with the win."

Despite beating the Irish 62-4 at St Helens earlier in the year the Knights will be wary of a side that pulled off an impressive 30-18 win over Scotland in the tournament's opening game last Sunday.

And after claiming his first win as Ireland head coach Mark Aston is hoping his players can pick up from where they left off in Edinburgh.

"The England Knights team will be very strong," he said. "We know that, but we are really looking forward to the challenge," he said. "I have real faith in the players.

"After the Scotland game I could see the passion and the pride they take in representing their country and also the focus and determination they have to make themselves the best rugby league players and team that they can."