Saracens' Matt Stevens harbouring England ambition

[TRF_Cymro]

Saracens prop Matt Stevens hopes a continuation of his current form will be enough to earn him a place in England's 2011 World Cup squad.

Stevens, capped 32 times, returned from a two-year drugs ban in January.

"The only thing I can do is play well for Saracens. We're on a roll and we want to get to that Premiership final," he told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"If I can get there it gives me as good a chance [of playing for England] as anybody else," added the 28-year-old.

Stevens has made seven club appearances since his return and has bolstered a Sarries side that has lost only one of its last nine Premiership matches.

And, with September's World Cup in New Zealand on the horizon, the former Bath forward is concentrating on holding down a first-team place for Saracens' play-off push.

"It's a very competitive front row at Saracens - everyone's vying for positions," he said.

"We've got a lot of international players and guys who could be internationals.

"It's a difficult spot to get, so you get it and you hold on to it.

"I'm pushing for that place all the time and I'm happy with how things are going."

Saracens welcome Bath to Vicarage Road on Sunday, and Stevens is looking forward to seeing some familiar faces.

"I'm sure I'll get a very friendly hello when I play them," he joked.

"I don't know what front row they're going to start with - last week was David Flatman and Duncan Bell, two very good scrummagers.

"Obviously there is Lee Mears, an international hooker, so it's going to be a tough game."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/12906705.stm

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If he gets his form up then surely he must be a shout for a place within the squad. I know there's boys like Doran-Jones and Wilson but an on-form Stevens for me is a better player.

 

[gingergenius]

there's certainly no harm in competition for places. Unless there's injuries, he won't be in line for the world cup, but since English front rows are always injured, he may well make it! I'm happy so far he's proving a good addition to the Sarries squad.

I've said it before, our first choice XV is not as good as Saints' or Leicester's, and not good enough to mix it with the big boys in the HC. But our overall squad is among the top two in the Prem, no doubt, which is why we're looking good for a home playoff. Having players like Stevens come in is a really good boost when we've already got a number of other half decent props competing for places.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Interesting,
He's a tighthead isn't he?
Could be worth a benchspot ahead of Wilson,

Props for the WC:
1. Sheridan, Corbisiero
3. Cole, Stevens
1/3. Doran-Jones

Not bad

 

[Teh Mite]

I've been surprised how quickly Stevens has slotted back into the groove, but as GG said the Saracens thing is a lot of above average players rather then select brilliant individuals.

Welford road aside, I'm not sure if he's yet had a real test to see where he stands. Wouldn't rule him out of a potential test squad place, but he was the best prop (******* about in the centre aside for large chunks of games notwithstanding) in a very below average England team a long time ago. They have moved on but I'm not entirely sure he has. I certainly wouldn't be dropping Cole any time soon.