Scrum of the Earth /

English rugby has been in dire need of a bit of DIY for years.

Since the birth of the professional era, the miscommunication between the RFU, the clubs and most importantly the players, has hampered any continuity between major tournaments.

Clive Woodward’s 2003 World Cup winning side benefited from consistency in selection and a team full of leaders but the aftermath showed a lack of long term thought.

Roll on four and a bit years, and the RFU still refuses to think towards the future. By offering Brian Ashton a one-year ‘performance related’ contract, Ashton’s plans have themselves been marginalised.

He has hinted at a new look England by suggesting the side will change out of necessity as well as preference, but imagine England start their Six Nations campaign with a defeat and instantly the pressure is back on Ashton to pick his trusted steeds, which served him so well in France.

The loud cries for an expansive brand of enthralling rugby are idealist, especially with Ashton repeatedly denouncing that we’re half way through a season.

No one cares whether you’re two games, two months or two years into a season, preparation for 2011 starts now.

Just ask any disappointed All-Black fan about what they would prefer three and a half years worth of unrivalled world dominance, or a World Cup? I rest my case.

OK so we’ve recently been introduced to Tom Croft, Richard Wigglesworth and Danny Cipriani but looking back towards France and the areas where the games were won - scrum, lineout and breakdown - will the likes of Mark Regan, Phil Vickery, Ben Kay and Simon Shaw be around in 2011?

I’m not for one minute saying Kay and Shaw don’t deserve to be in the squad as they have been in good form of late, but the lack of London Irish duo, Nick Kennedy and David Paice, who (based on statistics) marshal the best line-out in the Guinness Premiership, illustrates a phobia to take a risk.

If my sources are correct, we are likely to see the same front five that started the World Cup Final, taking the field against Wales.

Matt Stevens has arguably been the best prop in Europe this season, but he will only get 30 minutes after ‘Big Phil’ has had his bi-weekly run-out.

In his own words, Brian reckons he’s a loyal man, and keeping Vickery as captain highlights that, but what about being loyal to your own philosophy?

What was it that Will Carling famously said, ‘a bunch of old farts!’ and Martin Johnson won’t ever work for the RFU when Francis Baron’s there…

Are the RFU ever going to trust anyone? Relationships are based on trust and if Rob Andrew & co don’t think they can trust in Ashton’s vision for English rugby’s new era, then find someone that you can and you may just earn some trust from the supporters and players alike.

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.