Forbes head east to take on the competition-leading Bulldogs at Anne Ashwood Park this weekend and with the Bathurst side coming off their first loss of the season, it's easily the Platypi's toughest test of the 2019 Blowes Clothing Cup.
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Naturally that 176-kilometre road trip is at the forefront of Platypi prop Charlie French's mind, he'd love nothing more than to help hand Bulldogs a second straight defeat, one that could push his into the top four if other results fall the right way.
But after inspiring Central West's Caldwell Cup triumph at Tamworth a fortnight ago, he also has one eye on next month's NSW Country camp, having once again earned a call-up to the Cockatoos' preliminary squad.
Obviously getting the club results is our first priority but the next few weeks will be good in terms of preparation for that camp.
- Forbes and NSW Country prop Charlie French
Together with Forbes teammate Mahe Fangupo, French is no stranger to the Cockatoos jersey and his nod was a certainty considering his country week performance, he was considered among the front-runners for player-of-the-tournament.
"The camps are full on and we need to be ready for that. Obviously getting the club results is our first priority but the next few weeks will be good in terms of preparation for that camp too," French said.
"I'm looking forward to getting back to that level and training with all the guys from the other zones now, you always learn something. Particularly (veteran Cockatoos front-rowers) Ethan McInnes and Kevin McNamara, they're absolute guns."
Although he's technically an incumbent French was actually left out of last year's final squad initially, before being called back in at the 11th hour.
He admitted that does provide a little extra motivation, before adding he's just as excited for Fangupo and the 10 other Blue Bulls who earned selection as he is for himself.
"I'm very excited and I'm really happy to see all the new faces from Central West who have deservedly been picked," French said.
"Guys like Lachie Harris, Shaun McHugh, Mark Baldwin, Justin Mobbs and Benny Lenehan, they all played out of their skin at Tamworth."
The dozen Blue Bulls who have earned selection come from far and wide across the Central West, and French said the fact there was players from all the region's tiers played a big role in the Blue Bulls' win too.
"It was great having players from all across Central West. That started from the pre-season New Zealand tour and the momentum continued, it was great to see the [New Holland Agriculture Cup] and [Oilsplus Cup] players get that opportunity," French said.
"Guys like Josh Hudson from Condobolin got a late call-up and really stepped up, so did all the Harden boys, Josh Peffer from Molong and Tom Dunstan and Dave Jessiman, the old dog, from Mudgee as well.
"It'd be great to get selected for the final squad."
Forbes take on Bulldogs from 3.15pm on Saturday afternoon.
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