WARRIORS full-back Chris Pennell says he would ‘drop everything’ to be involved in England’s Six Nations clash against Ireland in Dublin next Sunday.
England’s first-choice full-back Mike Brown was carried off with a head injury in victory against Italy at Twickenham last weekend.
The 27-year-old hasn’t heard anything from the national coaches since his strong showing for England Saxons against Ireland Wolfhounds last month in Cork.
“With there being a rest weekend for England, I fully expect Mike Brown to have recovered and I hope he does,” said Pennell.
“No-one likes to see other people getting injured, especially in the way that that happened.
“Fingers crossed Mike will be good to go for the Ireland game.
“But if that doesn’t happen then I would drop everything to be given another opportunity.”
Pennell made his Test debut for England as a late replacement in New Zealand last summer and was given favourable reviews after Saxons’ 18-9 win against Wolfhounds.
“It was a really good trip and a week away,” said Pennell.
“The senior squad were based at Pennyhill Park and we had a separate build-up near Twickenham.
“We had a fantastic training week and it was a really good group of guys — a slightly more senior Saxons squad than maybe we had been used to in years gone by.
“It was an incredibly strong side that we were able to put out which was useful considering the team Ireland put out had around 380 caps between them.
“It was a great experience, great trip and it was good to get the win.”
He added: “Each time I have been involved with England camps I have learned a huge amount and a slight change in environment is not a bad thing.
“It was good to get away and come back refreshed and rejuvenated.
“I think there was a noticeable step up in terms of collision and the game itself had so much potential to be a really good, fast-flowing game but, unfortunately, it wasn’t to be.
“It felt like we had two teams wanting to play but every three or four phases something went wrong at the breakdown and it was quite a disruptive game.
“Ultimately, we wanted to make sure we got the win and we were not necessarily pleased with the style of the game but we did what we needed to do — and got the job done.”
Pennell was delighted to receive ‘very positive’ messages from the coaches and media after the match.
“I didn’t really feel like I did anything out of the ordinary,” he said.
“I suppose I did my job well.
“I would like to think I still showed the coaches the option that I can bring — being fairly solid at the back. Fingers crossed I get another opportunity and I can start to show what I can do in attack.
“I always watch the Six Nations matches and I would love to get a chance to play in them.
“I was given a taste in New Zealand in the summer of what international rugby is all about and I want to do everything I can to get into that environment again. For it to happen closer to home would be fantastic.
“I just need to keep working hard, keep my head down and see what happens.”
Pennell was rested for Warriors’ Championship win against Rotherham Titans last weekend.
He explained: “We are having periodic rest periods put in place for us and it was one of those occasions when I was just taken away from the playing squad and had a bit more time to work in other areas.
“It was one of those things and all the players have planned breaks
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here