Scrum of the Earth /

How's it settling in?

It’s just sinking in although it’s been a fair bit of a shock. The phone’s been going all day with plenty of people wishing me congratulations, so I’m getting there.

Did it come as a surprise?

It did come as a surprise. I was hoping to have some involvement with the Saxons and from what I heard I thought Ashton would be sticking with the more experienced players but I’m very grateful for the chance that he’s picked a few more uncapped players.

When did you find out?

I found out watching TV this morning. I literally woke up and watched the squad announced on Sky Sports and I found out that way. I haven’t spoken to Brian yet

I only woke up at 11 and it was announced at half past, so it was quite nice to wake up to, but I was a bit spaced out until 3pm. (So when I rang you just after 11 to ask for an interview this afternoon….) Yeah I thought it was a bit weird. I was thinking what’s going on?

Will you be saying a big thankyou to Martin Corry?

It’s a big loss having Cozza step down from the England rugby team but I don’t feel I have to thank him. I haven’t spoken to him yet, but there are still three or four other Leicester lads in the squad, which will make it an easier transition.

What qualities do you bring to the England side?

One of my main assets is my pace, but with the likes of Tom Rees, Lewis Moody and James Haskell, who are all very quick players, I’ll just turn up to training and work as hard as I can. If there is enough quality that Brian Ashton sees in me, and he feels he can use it in the side, then by all means i’ll do the best I can.

I still make mistakes and I don’t have the perfect game but who ever does. Obviously, Brian Ashton has seen a part of my game that he feels English rugby can use and i’m very grateful that he’s decided to give me a go.

Do you think your place is merited in the squad?

I’m happy with the way things have gone, but i’ve still go keep my feet on the ground and work on the basics and keep doing what i’m doing…

How are you going to celebrate?

I’m just going out for a meal with some friends. We’ve got training tomorrow so I can’t go out and celebrate properly, especially with such an important match at the weekend.

At the moment i’m just hoping to be involved in the Edinburgh game and think of that challenge. I’m not at liberty to take things for granted at Leicester

Are you expecting a lot of hype over the next couple of weeks?

I’m not away with England until the 21st, so I’ve just got to keep my head down until then and just concentrate on playing well with Leicester rather than get caught up with what’s going on with England in a couple of weeks.

You started playing aged 11, and now 10 years later you're in the England squad, how's rugby changed for you?

The last couple of years since I left Oakham have been a bit of a rollercoaster ride. Things have picked up a little bit at Leicester this year. I've been getting a few more starts and it’s helped having them bunched together. It has been a bit of a fast track. I just hope I can handle it.

How do you think things will change? Are you ready for a bit more female attention?

You can always hope! I don’t think it’ll change too much. It doesn’t affect the likes of Ben Kay and Lewis Moody when they come back from international duty. I think it’s important just to take it in your stride and keep your head firmly on your shoulders, and it’s just a job primarily.

Are you expecting the usual Leicester treatment tomorrow?

I’ll probably get a few bigger hits, but tomorrow isn’t a contact day, so it’s probably quite good news, although i’m sure i’ll get quite a bit of stick

Your goal at the start of the season was to start as many games as possible, have you over-achieved?

You set yourself realistic goals at the start of the season but i’m still not a regular starter at Leicester, so getting into the England squad is an added bonus.

I need to be as realistic as possible with my targets and just work hard.

Haskell, Rees, Moody, they’re all world class players and have a few more caps than I do, so i’ve just got to prove to Brian Ashton and the coaches that i’m of a similar quality, but i’ve got a lot of work to do.

It's only a month away and already countless pundits are picking their staring XVs with the impending announcement of the 32-man squads. Instead of following the fashion we're going to go out on a limb and pick one man who could change the fortunes for each nation in 2008....

France: Loic Jacquet (Clermont Auvergne) Second Row

Still only 22, Jacquet is widely tipped to replace the departing Fabien Pelous and his 150-year-old boots in the French engine room. At 6ft 5" and 111kg, he possesses the Olivier Magne ball handling flair and carries his weight like Sebastien Chabal. Marc Lievermont will want to inject fresh impetuous into a weary French pack and the former U21 World Cup winning captain looks set to take on that immediate mantle.

England: James Haskell (London Wasps) Back Row

'Hasks' overwhelming confidence and titanic stature has already drawn comparisons with the retiring Lawrence Dallaglio, and he didn't have a bad career did he! The utility back-row will be out to prove what a grave error it was to leave him out of the World Cup and the brute is one of the hottest properties on the English market. A fearless ball carrier, immense in the tackle and is learning the art of the Neil Back spoil on the deck - his time is nigh.

Wales: Morgan Stoddart (Llanelli Scarletts) Full Back

Starring in his rookie year, Stoddart is a strong runner who capped his debut against South Africa with a well taken try. Suspect under the high ball and while questions remain over his positioning, there's a hell of a lot of hype over the Severn Bridge surrounding the young full-back and he doesn't appear to look phased.... even by the World Champions and Bryan Habana rocking into town. At least he doesn't aimlessly kick the ball high into opposition hands like a certain Lee Byrne.

Ireland: Eoin Reddan (London Wasps) Scrum Half

As sly as a cunning old fox behind the powerhouse that is the London Wasps scrum. Reddan has even been entrusted with the captaincy while Dallaglio is away, and the scrum-half has blossomed alongside  a rapidly improving, Danny Cipriani. His passing and kicking out of hand have both come on leaps and bounds this season, and with Ireland needing some pace around the fringes, his nack of scoring important tries and making influential breaks will be crucial.

Scotland: Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester) Back Row

Since making the move south from Edinburgh, Strokosch has received rave reviews down at Kingsholm this year, including being named December's Guinness Premiership Player of the Month. A big tackling, bustling runner of a blindside, he compliments the style Frank Hadden used so successfully during the World Cup, and his professional attitude has been one of the main reasons for the Cherry & Whites changes in fortune.

Italy: Martin Castrogiovanni (Leicester Tigers) Prop

Had a poor World Cup but has gone back to Leicester and upped his work rate and regained hid tenacious scrummaging ability, which everyone was talking about prior to the tournament in France. He is back putting in some eye-catching performances for the Tigers under the lastest Marcelo Loffreda regime and Nick Mallett will need his senior stars to stand up and be counted if the Italians are to improve on last year's fourth spot.

Wales' loss is England's gain, for Hugo Ellis has captained both countries and is still only 19. He is the current England U20 skipper and will lead the side in next year's tournament in Wales. Learning his trade at Wasps, he's in good company with Dallaglio, Rees, Haskell and Worsley, so we reckon he's going to be a star. Mind you, he's so chilled out he would probably be happiest on a sun lounger sipping a slush puppy in the Maldives...

First ball picked up

I suppose I picked up my first rugby ball at the age of 4 or 5. My dad had a massive influence on me and we used to kick a ball around in garden, and I took an instant interest. But from the age of 8 or 9 when I was involved at school, that’s when I really got into it.

Earliest rugby memory

My first ever game for St. Benedict's, Ealing against our local rivals, Donhead. We won with a try in last minute and I was really chuffed and I remember everyone talking about it all week.

Most memorable moment

Captaining England U19s in the World Cup was the high point so far and making my Premiership debut for Wasps.

Heroes

Being a number eight, I loved watching Scott Quinnell and Lawrence Dallaglio growing up, but I also like to watch an exciting brand of rubgy, especially New Zealand, so Christian Cullen and Jonah Lomu were a couple of my favourites.

Current favourites

James Forrester, he’s a bit different, he’s an exciting player with plenty of pace, and good to watch as well.

Game preparations

I tend to chill out and try not to think too much until he morning of a game. I’d get up and have my breakfast, drink plenty of water, until about an hour before the game when I’d get my game head on and concentrate during the short period up to the game, then, by the time it starts, you’re ready.

Pre-game rituals

I’m not one for supersticion. I’ve got a funny thing with under-armers. If it’s cold I will wear them regardless but if we win, then I’ll keep wearing them until we lost.

20/20 song

‘Eye of the tiger,’ I listen to it pre-match to get me in the mood.

Rugby mates

At Wasps, James Honeyben, Chris Bishay, Dom Wouldouck, are good mates but Chevvy Pennycock at Bristol and Matt Mullen at Worcester as well.

What would they say about you?

Laid back, willing to go extra yard and just raring to go when the time’s right but off the field, fairly chilled out.

Relaxing

I’d get some brownie points for saying I like spending time with the girlfriend. I’ve got a close net group of mates, so we play a lot of ‘pro evo’ but I like going out for meals and to the cinema.

Worst rugby nightmare

Everyone fears a career ending injury

If not rugby

I’d probably be a student and enjoying life with a few less shackles. Maybe journalism, it’s something I’m interested in, perhaps it would be a career I would like to pursue post-rugby.

Least like to meet down a dark alley

Andrew Sheridan - I wouldn’t fancy that much.

Most famous person ever met

Probably Lawrence or Joe Worlsey. It takes a lot of getting used to, being in this environment, but for any young player, it’s the best way to progress watching how he does his stuff, but you get used to it

First autograph

I was about 17, I was still at school and we had a pre-season game for Wasps at Adams Park against Exeter. I got a lot of stick for that.

It felt good, I’m more used to it now, it only happens every now and then, quite a rare occurrence.

Worst thing about rugby

Having to get up and get to training for 730-8 o’clock. I’m not a big fan of early morning’s.

Ambitions

For the moment I’m looking to force my way into the 1st team and play regularly. I’ve had five appearances off the bench during the World Cup, which was good exposure, but there’s a couple of guys ahead of me right now, but with Lawrence retiring in the near future, ideally I’d like to step into his shoes and progress to the England side.

2011

It would mean everything to me. I think I’d only be 23 then, so it’d be one hell of an achievement but you’ve always got to aim to reach the top level. It would make me the proudest man of earth.

First ball picked up

When I was about five, at my local club, West Park Bramhope, I went to watch my brother and when I was about seven, I managed to jump up a year because I wanted to play so much.

Earliest rugby memory

Dad’s got a video of me when I was about eight playing for West Park and going down the wing and diving in the corner to score a try.

Most memorable moment

Wining the Silver medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games but unfortunately we lost in the final, on other day we could’ve won it

Rugby hero

Matt Dawson and Jonah Lomu. I was lucky enough to play against Lomu a couple of years ago for Leeds against Cardiff. It was awesome.

Favourite no.9s

Fourie du Preez, showed what a special player he is at the World Cup and was probably the player of the tournament. I’ve always rated Justin Marshall, who I got to work with at Leeds and I’d have to mention George Gregan as well.

Least like to meet down a dark alley

Chris Halaufia. He’s a very scary man

Best mate in the game

I might disappoint a couple here. Back at Leeds, I had a few great friends such as Tom Biggs, Jordan Crane, but down here I’d say David Strettle and Jordan Turner Hall - I’ve lived with both of them so I’d better give them a mention.

What would they say about you

Hopefully a good lad, a bit cheeky probably.

Relaxing

 I bought a nice big ‘L-shaped’ sofa recently, which is pretty comfortable so I like chilling out on there watching a bit of Sky+ and playing on the Playstation.

Favourite part of week

Saturday - playing a game and going out with boys after

Away from rugby

I like going to the cinema, meeting friends, playing on the Playstation 3, especially on Pro Evolution Soccer. I smash Jordan (Turner-Hall) on that quite a lot but otherwise just generally messing about

If not rugby

Probably not a lot. Growing up I wanted to be a footballer so if not that maybe a fireman.

Favourite Food

Fish and chips

20/20 song

LL Cool J ‘Something like a phenomenon.’

Career ambitions

My dream is to play for England but at the moment I’m focusing on trying to play regularly for Harlequins.

New Zealand in 2011

It would be an amazing feeling, it’s sort of a once in a lifetime opportunity and anyone who gets picked is very lucky and shouldn’t take it for granted.

Most famous person you’ve ever met

Dave Strettle (Laughs)  I met Ronan Keating in Dubai, which was quite special but I’d have to say Dave Strettle.