DIRECTOR of rugby Dean Ryan believes Chris Pennell’s “outstanding” performances for Worcester Warriors should warrant a call-up to the England squad.
The full back has been in sparking form this year as he has produced a string of outstanding showings in a Warriors jersey.
And Ryan insisted the 26-year-old could find himself in an England shirt in the near future if his performances continue to remain at their current level.
However, the Warriors boss admitted Pennell, who has made more than 100 appearances for Worcester, could have already had a cap to his name if he had not stayed loyal to the club he graduated from and moved to one of the bigger sides in the league.
“I think he is outstanding. Chris, in a top six side, is in the England squad as it would be hard for Stuart Lancaster to ignore him,” Ryan said.
“We are not a top six side, therefore we don’t give him the platform to illustrate his talents, so for him to be playing that well at a time when we are not necessary firing on all cylinders is impressive.
“For me there is only him, Mike Brown and Alex Goode. Name another full back which is in that sort of form?
“He is an out and out full back, second to none under the high ball and I would put him right up there with Brown in that respect.
“Brown is a strong runner with a great left foot, but Chris has all those attributes.”
Ryan believes the former Worcester skipper should be commended for the loyalty he has shown Warriors over the years and he said Pennell was now an integral part of the club’s plans for the future.
“I knew he was a good player before I arrived. He pulled Quins apart in the final game at Sixways last season,” Ryan added.
“He has had chances to go, but he has made a choice to stay here and take this club forward, which I think is outstanding and I am just delighted he is in top form.
“Having gone through some rough times with injury, he deserves a run of form and he should receive recognition for that.”
