SIXWAYS star Chris Pennell has been handed the chance to push his case for a place on England’s tour of New Zealand after being named in Stuart Lancaster’s training squad.
The full back, who will report for training at the Lensbury Club in Teddington this Sunday, could also be in line to represent his country’s when they take on Barbarians in a non-cap match at Twickenham on Sunday, June 1.
Pennell’s selection in the 20-man squad, which includes players from the six Aviva Premiership clubs who have finished their seasons, comes after a superb campaign for Warriors.
The 27-year-old has played every minute of every league match for the club this season and his performances have led him to be nominated for the Aviva Premiership Player of the Season Award.
But Pennell, who agreed a three year deal at Championship-bound Warriors in December, insisted the hard work had only just began as he looks to cement his place in the squad.
“I am delighted to be part of the training squad and I will be working hard to show what I can do over the next couple of weeks,” he said.
“I’ve been working closely with the coaching staff at Warriors and I feel I have improved as a player over the last year so I’m excited about the future.”
The final squads for the New Zealand tour and the Barbarians match will be announced at 12pm on Monday, May 26, which head coach Lancaster said was enough time for the likes of Pennell to put themselves in the mix for a coveted spot.
“The New Zealand tour and the game against the Barbarians give us a chance to look at a wide group of players, some of whom are well known to us from the Elite Player Squad, others who we will get to work with for the first time next week,” Lancaster said.
“That is an exciting challenge for us coaches and it’s a great opportunity for those players to put a marker down for selection for the tour and the Barbarians game.”
England’s training squad: Kieran Brookes (Newcastle Falcons), Freddie Burns (Gloucester), Danny Cipriani (Sale Sharks), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs), Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs), Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs), Matt Kvesic (Gloucester), Jonny May (Gloucester), Ben Morgan (Gloucester), Michael Paterson (Sale Sharks), Chris Pennell (Worcester Warriors), Dan Robson (Gloucester), Charlie Sharples (Gloucester), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Tommy Taylor (Sale Sharks), Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks), Henry Trinder (Gloucester), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester), Marland Yarde (London Irish)