Jack Hughes and his England Knights’ team-mates have revealed how their tour of Papua New Guinea has had a life-changing impact on them.
Warrington back rower Hughes - who recently penned a new three-year deal at the Wolves - captained Paul Anderson’s side on the two-match tour, with honours finishing even against the host nation.
Papua New Guinea is the only country in the world where rugby league is the national sport, and the Super League stars were mobbed in villages and schools as they were given an insight into life in the Pacific Islands.
The country is one of world's least explored, culturally and geographically, and the 8 million population speak over 800 known languages.
Hughes and team-mates Robbie Mulhern and Sam Powell say that what they experienced last month will have a lasting effect on all of them, in exclusive video footage provided for Mirror Sport.
Hughes explained: “It’s the off-field stuff that will really affect me.
“I came home with a lot more gratitude and appreciation of what we’ve got.
“My little daughter is one and she’s going mad for iPads and all that, and visiting the children and schools in PNG makes you realise how lucky we are and how lucky our children are.
“I think I’ll show a bit more gratitude in general life and appreciate things more - all the small things you take for granted.
“We went to a school and there was just short of 2,000 kids there.
“They were going crazy, and they didn’t know who we were really, just that we were English rugby lads.
“They absolutely loved us, adored us - they just want to touch you.”
Hull Kingston Rovers front rower Mulhern echoed his skipper’s sentiments.
He said: “Everything about it has blown me away.
“You hear a lot of horror stories but the place is unbelievable and the people are so friendly.
“It’s completely opened my mind and we’ve got some priceless memories that I won’t ever forget.
“Going to the village was my favourite experience - seeing how they all live on that compound and play on a pitch that was like a car park.
“But you see how happy they all are, over the moon to be there and so friendly.
“It makes you realise that the problems you have back home are nothing compared to what some people have going on.”
Wigan hooker Powell says his own experiences will change how he lives back home.
Asked what had the biggest impact on him, he responded: “Just to see people not have so much but be so happy.
“They’re not too bothered about changing things and are happy within their culture, and that will change me.
“I had a think about it and I was a bit upset with myself - the amount of time my kids see me on my phone and I don’t like that.
“That’s definitely going to change - and stuff that matters.”
Papua New Guinea is set host a Great Britain tour match next year under proposals - that have yet to be formally confirmed - for the return of the Lions.