WORCESTER full-back Chris Pennell says he is fit and ready to play for England at the Rugby World Cup – if he is called upon.
The 28-year-old has not worn the Red Rose since playing for England Saxons in January and was not even named in Stuart Lancaster’s extended 50-man World Cup squad in May.
However, Pennell was asked to train at England’s base at Pennyhill Park last month in a bid to push fellow full-backs Mike Brown and Alex Goode.
And the Warriors star said it has kept his hopes alive of fulfilling his dream of representing his country at the World Cup.
“It was great to be back involved and great to get up to speed,” he said.
“They know I am ready to go if called upon and that’s the situation at the minute.
“Obviously going right back to before the first leg of the play-off final when the initial 45 was announced, I had the phone call then to say I was not involved.
“But they just told me to stay fit and keep playing well and then to get involved in the training a few weeks back was great.
“I was really pleased, but I am basically waiting for them to ring.”
Pennell added: “I will just keep training and playing as hard as I can for Worcester and if that call comes it does, but if it doesn’t then it’s a real shame.
“There are undoubtedly going to be injuries within the tournament. Unfortunately that’s the nature of the game. Hopefully that’s not the case, but if it is and it happens in a position that I can affect then I will hopefully be very high up that call list.”
England will begin their campaign against Fiji at Twickenham on Friday and Pennell said he was confident Lancaster’s men could deal with the amount of pressure on their shoulders.
“I think the obvious feel within the squad is one of excitement,” he said.
“Everyone was buzzing, given the fact it is a home World Cup.
“There are a bunch of guys there who will have the hopes and dreams of a county on their shoulders.
“But they were all incredibly positive and excited about the challenge ahead.”