FULL back Chris Pennell believes the ‘door has not been closed’ for a return to the international fold, despite not being included in the latest England squad.
And the 28-year-old believed a strong performance for the Warriors in the Greene King IPA Championship play-off decider against Bristol tonight (Wednesday) could boost his hopes of getting back into Stuart Lancaster’s side.
Pennell told The Observer he was ‘gutted’ not to be among the 50 players to be picked for the squad which will have the chance of pushing their case ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
But as only Mike Brown and Alex Goode have been selected as specialist full backs, the Sixways star said he still had a chance of being re-called.
“It is a great shame for myself personally that I was not in that 50, but I certainly don’t feel that the door has been closed,” he said.
“I think if they had selected another couple of full backs then maybe I would start thinking maybe that could be more difficult.
“They have gone with two out-and-out full backs in the squad so I think there is very much room there potentially if there are knocks there, there is a potential spot for myself or other guys as well.”
Pennell, who made his international debut last summer, said the prospect of securing Warriors promotion to the Aviva Premiership has helped him not to dwell too much on selectors’ decision last week.
And he also feels victory over Bristol in tonight’s final, second leg at Sixways could propel him back into England contention.
“I am massively focused on the job at hand and having spoken to the England coaches I know the game just gone and this game is obviously an opportunity for me to show that I am back at my best,” he said.
“It is an awful long time to go and injuries will undoubtedly happen.
“It’s always the way with World Cup camps and I have no doubt we will see it again.
“it is an intense training environment that those guys are going to be in and there will be bumps and bruises along the way.
“So if by going well this week and doing myself justice on the night puts myself in a good light for England management then that’s great.
“That’s one of the positive potential side effects that could come from us getting promoted.”