SIXWAYS star Chris Pennell admitted he was beginning to doubt whether he would return to the international fold after injury saw him miss the start of the season.
But the 27-year-old said his inclusion in the England Saxons squad last week has kept his hopes of playing in September’s Rugby World Cup alive.
The Warriors full back, who is set to feature against Ireland Wolfhounds on Friday, said he had been looking to kick on this season after making his international debut in New Zealand last summer.
But a groin problem, which resulted in surgery, ruled him out for two months and threatened to scupper his hopes of remaining on Stuart Lancaster’s radar.
Since returning from injury in November, Pennell has started to produce the form he showed last season, but the former Worcester academy graduate admitted his call-up still came as a huge surprise.
“I was over the moon,” Pennell said. “The last time (I was selected) it was a fairly gradual process before being told ‘you’re involved’. Whereas this time, that one phone call went from going from nothing to ‘you’re in the squad’, so it meant a huge amount.
“It was always going to be a tough ask (to get back into the squad) given relegation last year and given my injury at the start of the season as I was out for so long, so I had to make the steps back to where I was.
“Of course there were doubts (whether I would return) as it was not the perfect picture of what I imagined it would be, so I am very grateful to be given another shot.”
Pennell said Mike Brown, Alex Goode and Ben Foden were ahead of him in the pecking order for the number 15 jersey, but he believes his experience may increase his chances of staying in contention.
“I think the squad is a lot more senior than it has been in the past which is a positive thing for myself,” he added.
“It shows it’s about the ‘here and now’ as opposed to maybe what is going to happen in two or three years time, which is the nature of the beast with the World Cup coming up.
“If I can go and give a good account of myself then you never know as you may only be one injury away from getting your foot properly in the door again.
“The World Cup is my ultimate goal and this is another stepping stone towards that, so it is up to me to take this opportunity.”