Great Britain hooker Jon Clarke, who has steadily progressed from unsung stalwart of Warrington Wolves into a fully fledged Test international after breaking into the Great Britain team which faced the Kiwis in 2007, is the ultimate team player. A specialist hooker who is generally used as the Wolves starting No.9 because of his capacity for hitting hard in the early part of the game, Clarke is also used to high effect in the back row. A very good marker tackler who was the most effective tackler in the league in 2004 with a 99 per cent tackle success rate. Clarke is also an excellent support player. Represented Great Britain Academy while coming through the junior ranks at Wigan, he played in their 1997 Premiership Final winning side against St Helens. Followed his ex-Wigan coach John Monie to London Broncos in 2000, but returned north during the 2001 season when the Wolves were forced to sign a hooker on loan to solve an injury crisis. Made an instant impact with some courageous performances against top sides to earn a permanent deal at the club, and has grown into a mainstay of Paul Cullen's Wolves. Named in new Lions coach Tony Smith's first Great Britain squad midway through the season, he came off the bench for the "Northern Union" side against the "All Golds" in the Centenary Test, before replacing Terry Newton in the full Great Britain side to play the latter two Tests against the Kiwis, debuting at Hull.
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