Chick provides further proof of credentials

Newcastle 13-5

Points are in scarce supply here this season but, for the second successive home game, Callum Chick’s finishing prowess underlined his England potential.

After the 24-year-old’s late try to seal victory over Wasps at the start of the month, the No8 gave Eddie

Jones another timely nudge ahead of the England head coach naming his autumn internationals squad.

Crashing over from close range at the end of a bruising first half, with a determined pick-and-go next to the posts oozing international quality, Chick registered Newcastle’s only try in a tight, but fully merited victory against a Bristol side who have gone backwards in the opening weeks of the campaign.

“Chicky’s doing really well and I’d like to see him playing a part in certainly one, if not more of the autumn internationals,” Dean Richards, the Newcastle director of rugby, said after a third victory in five games. The last two wins at home have been secured with a combined tally of only 31 points.

Chick earned his first caps over the summer after being named in a 34-man training camp along with team-mates Adam Radwan, Trevor Davison and Jamie Blamire. The quartet all enhanced their growing reputations against beleaguered Bristol to leave Richards confident his largely home-grown squad could be well represented when England host Tonga, Australia and South Africa next month.

“I thought Jamie Blamire did well, coming off the bench to produce a couple of steals which made a big difference on his 50th appearance for the club,” Richards said. “Eddie’s been up to speak to us about Chicky and, to be honest, he’s pleased with all our boys. We had four in the training squad, so fingers crossed we’ll get some of them playing international rugby again soon.”