ESSEX Pirates star Taner Adu will pull on an England shirt for the first time this weekend.

Adu, who was Pirates’ top points scorer last season, will be facing both Scotland and Lithuania in friendly clashes which are being held in Worcester.

And 26-year-old Adu believes the games will be the biggest of his career so far.

“It doesn’t get any better or bigger than playing for your country and I’m really looking forward to it,” said Adu, who has been joined in the squad by Pirates team-mate Colin Sing.

“It will be the best moment of my whole career and hopefully I can do well in the games we have and stay in the squad.

“I always thought that maybe I should have been called up when I was an under-18, so it’s great that I’ve finally got the opportunity and I really want to try and make the most of it.”

Adu has been named in a 17-man squad, selected by coach Paul James.

But he insists the selection would not have been possible without the help of the Southend-based Pirates and their coach Tim Lewis.

“This just goes to show that what Pirates are doing is spot on,” said Adu.

“They are giving British players chances in the BBL and it’s really helping them to improve and develop.

“I know that I would not be playing for England if it wasn’t for the Pirates and Tim, so I’m very grateful for the opportunity and really appreciate what they have done.”

Having now made the squad, Adu wants to continuing impressing.

And he has already held talks with Lewis on how to adapt his game for an international level.

“Tim has told me that I need to do more off the ball so I’ve been working on that and my defence as well,” said Adu.

“I think that will be the key because Lithuania in particular like to break quickly and I will have to be able to deal with that.”

Sing will also be in action this weekend alongside Adu, fresh from appearing for Great Britain’s under-23 squad.

“It’s always an honour play for your country and I’m really pleased,” said Sing.