Luther Burrell will be thinking of home in Huddersfield when he links up with the England Six Nations squad next week.

The 26-year-old Northampton Saints centre could well make his international debut for Stuart Lancaster’s side against France in Paris when the tournament kicks off on Saturday, February 1.

It would be the culmination of a lot of hard work as a professional with Leeds Carnegie, Sale Sharks and his current club in both the Aviva Premiership and Heineken Cup.

Indeed, Burrell – who is 6ft 3in and over 17st – aims to put down a marker for England inclusion when the Saints take on Castres tonight (8pm) at Franklin’s Gardens in Pool I of the European competition.

It remains to be seen whether Burrell goes on to be handed the No12 or No13 shirt for England – and he’s naturally not too bothered as long as he wins a first cap! – but if that great moment comes at the Stade de France he certainly won’t be forgetting the hometown influences which started him out in the sport.

Originally from Paddock, his family moved to Lindley, where parents Joyce and Geoff still live, and Burrell went to school at St Patrick’s Junior and then All Saints Catholic College at Bradley.

He played rugby league for Under 14 and Under 15 sides at the Giants and Crigglestone before trying out rugby union at Huddersfield RUFC – so he was playing two and three games a week when he got involved at Lockwood Park.

“At that time, players like Jason Robinson and Jonny Wilkinson were doing wonders for international rugby and I used to watch them on TV and dream of being a part of something like that,” said Burrell, whose partner Camilla is from Mirfield.

“My time at Lockwood Park was fantastic and it really ignited my enthusiasm for playing the game.

“People like Tim Nield and Paul Sharrock, who coached me through the age groups, were just brilliant and Hamish Pratt, the New Zealander who played, was really passionate about the game and terrific towards me.”

Before he made strides into the senior game at Huddersfield, Burrell was snapped up by Leeds’ academy, where Lancaster was the coach, to become part of their Elite Player Development Centre.

After originally being rejected, his mother wrote to Lancaster suggesting they gave Burrell another chance. They did, and the rest is history.

“I progressed well at Leeds and got a contract with them, breaking into the first team,” he explained.

“I had a little dabble with rugby league while I was there, just to keep fit in the summer, and it didn’t quite work out for me, so I ended up picking up the rugby union side of things again and it’s certainly been the right choice. I haven’t looked back since.”

When Lancaster left Leeds for the RFU in 2008, Burrell ended up playing on loan at Otley, Rotherham and Sedgley Park – the new coaches thought he wanted to play rugby league because of his stint at the Rhinos – so he left to join Sale.

He made 12 appearances in an injury-hit 2011-12 season before making his big move to the Saints.

Since then, he has made massive strides and, last summer, he was called into the England tour of Argentina. He didn’t play a Test but featured in the one midweek match in Montevideo.

So what was his reaction when the Six Nations call came?

“I could see it was Andy Farrell on the line and it was one of those panic moments, I suppose,” he smiled.

“It’s something you’ve always wanted – to be part of an England squad and to represent your country – and I still don’t think the good news has really sunk in.

“I really don’t like to think too far ahead, but it’s an extra special feeling to be involved and, if I were to get that first cap, it would obviously be the highlight of my career and a dream come true.

“It’s something you work towards week in and week out and, even in training during pre-season, the goal was to try and get a cap – so hopefully it will come sooner rather than later.”

Burrell is in the 35-man Six Nations squad but not in the 33-man Elite Player Squad.

That’s because of the agreement between the Rugby Football Union and Premiership Rugby Limited, whereby the mid-season revision of the EPS must include injured players likely to make the summer tour of New Zealand.

Burrell is an injury replacement for the stricken Manu Tuilagi. Bath’s Kyle Eastmond was already in the EPS squad and remains there, along with Gloucester’s Billy Twelvetrees and Saracens’ Brad Barritt as the other centres.

“It’s great to be in the squad and I’m not intending to go there to make up the numbers,” he added.

“The tour to Argentina was a massive learning curve for me and I know I need to be up to speed fast. I think I am learning quickly and this game against Castres is a chance for me to put down a marker for the England training – so that I can put my hand up for a shirt.”