He chose a life in Billy Slater's shadow so that he could learn from the best, but now England fullback Gareth Widdop says he's ready to show he belongs in the top flight for both club and country.

Having spent the last three years studying Slater from close quarters as his understudy at the Storm, Widdop will on Sunday go head-to-head with the Australian No.1 when they line up as rival fullbacks for the Four Nations clash at AAMI Park in Melbourne.

The match will highlight Widdop's stunning ascension to the ranks of international rugby league, with Sunday's third Test appearance to equal the number of NRL games the 21-year-old has under his belt.

And while his path to the Storm No.1 jumper may be blocked, Widdop is hoping a good Four Nations campaign followed by a solid pre-season could see him lining up alongside Slater on a regular basis in 2011.

"I've got one more year left (under contract at the Storm) and hopefully I'll get first crack at playing five-eighth which I don't mind playing," Widdop told AAP.

"I feel more confident at fullback because I've played a lot there, but it was my decision to stay at the Storm, I knew I wouldn't get too many games but I wanted to learn off the best which is what I'm doing."

Certainly Slater has been impressed with what he's seen from Widdop, whose family emigrated from the north of England when he was just 14.

Earlier this year he became the first `home-grown' international to emerge from the Storm, with his Test debut against France in June coming after just two top grade games.

Slater expects many more to follow, claiming Widdop had already displayed the right mentality to show he was ready to play in the NRL on a regular basis, with the departure of Brett Finch having opened up a berth at pivot.

"He's probably a little bit beyond his years where he's mature for his age," Slater said.

"He does all the little things that we expect at the Storm for all players to do - he's got all the flashy plays but he's also got the tough plays.

"You know what Gaz is going to give you, he's a very solid player, he's always going to turn up in support, he's great defensively at the back, he's not going to be lazy for you."

Widdop was one of England's better players in their disappointing tournament-opening loss to New Zealand last Saturday, a defeat which left them needing to beat Australia on Sunday to be any chance of qualifying for next month's final in Brisbane.

While Widdop will no doubt play a crucial role on the paddock, he hopes to be just as big a benefit off it as he divulges some of the secrets behind the pet plays of Storm trio Slater, Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk.

"I've given (coach Steve McNamara) a few ideas ... no doubt I'll tip the boys up in the meeting on a few little things," he added.

And what about the chance for the pupil to put a hit on the master on Sunday night?

"I'll try my best," Widdop said. "I'll have to catch him first."

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