Centre Luther Burrell is hoping that he has put himself in the frame as England head coach Stuart Lancaster names his Six Nations squad today.
The Huddersfield-born played no part in England’s autumn internationals after suffering a hand injury, but he hopes he has done enough with Northampton to have persuaded Lancaster he is in form.
“I want to keep banging on England’s door,” said the 27-year-old.
“As a player who has had a taste of it, I am hungry for another opportunity.”
And Burrell’s links with Lancaster may help, the pair having worked together at club level with Leeds Carnegie.
“I know Stuart from my days at Leeds and he is very approachable,” said Burrell.
“You can chew his ear off for an hour or two and for someone like myself, who has won seven caps, it is helpful to have that relationship with the boss.”
Manu Tuilagi could miss England’s campaign after the Leicester centre revealed his recovery from a groin injury was progressing slowly.
Tuilagi missed also the autumn Tests while he recovered from the problem that has sidelined him for much of this season.
Lancaster said at the end of November that Tuilagi was the player who could make a key difference to his team.
But Lancaster faces the prospect of being without the powerful Leicester man for at least a large part of the championship ahead, which for England begins against Wales on February 6.
