WORLD Cup winner Andy Gomarsall could make a remarkable return to England Test duty this week - a year after his rugby career looked destined for the scrapheap.

Gomarsall has already re-corded one major triumph over adversity this season, so a demanding two-Test tour of South Africa should not cause any sleepless nights.

The 32-year-old faced a gloomy future after his stint with Guinness Premiership club Worcester came to a shuddering halt last May.

Gomarsall, despite still be-ing under contract at Sixways, claims he was told to go by the Warriors after failing to meet their playing requirements.

It all left him contemplating the next stop on his 10-year journey as a rugby professional - possible oblivion.

Gomarsall's summer of discontent was brightened by his wife Francesca giving birth to twins, but offers of employment hardly rolled in, despite the scrum-half firing off his cv in all directions.

He said: "Every sort of emotion went through my mind - including not playing again.

"I had a knee injury at the end of last season, which I was worried about, and every sort of emotion goes through your head. I had to start thinking on a short-term basis."

Worcester's Premiership ri-vals Harlequins though, then offered him a nine-month deal, and a career at the Twicken-ham Stoop that began with a reserve team game on an autumnal Monday night has snowballed to such an extent, he recently penned a two-year contract.

Gomarsall added: "To be involved with England again was a distant dream last summer.

"I have had the opportunity with Quins, which I am exceptionally grateful for, and it has got me back into the England squad.

"I didn't think I would get an opportunity straight away at Quins, but Steve So'oialo broke his hand, which meant I was involved pretty much immediately, and it has just gone from there.

"My immediate responsibility was playing well for Quins, getting them on the front foot and winning some games."

Gomarsall's Worcester situation is destined for the High Court this summer - by which time he could be well on course for a second successive World Cup campaign.

It is more than a decade since Gomarsall made his England debut against Italy at Twickenham, but the current battle for that coveted number nine shirt is a three-cornered fight between himself, Bris-tol's Shaun Perry and London Irish-bound Peter Richards.

Rounds one and two are sch-eduled for Bloemfontein and Pretoria in the next fortnight.