Forgotten man Maunder’s back on the starting grid

AFTER having last season written-off by injury, forgotten England scrum-half Jack Maunder is ready to fire his way back into Test contention. Exeter tyro Maunder,

right, made his first Premiership start in 17 months against Sale yesterday, backed by younger brother Sam on the bench. The 21year-old must now prove all over again why Eddie Jones capped him in Argentina last summer.

“That seems a long time ago and I just want to get back playing regularly, stay fit, get into a rhythm and help Chiefs as much as I can,” said Maunder, who suffered a series of niggling injuries before undergoing knee surgery.

“It was an amazing experience being capped on that tour and I learned so much playing and training with world-class players, but it was a frustrating season to follow and doing my knee around February meant I had to focus on rehab. “When you’re younger you’re just chomping at the bit to get out and play with your mates in all these big games the Chiefs seem to be having. “But once you get your head around it you just focus on trying to get better and I’m coming back in really good shape. I’ve been able to work on different parts of my body and I’d like to think I’m also coming back a tougher, more robust player.”

Maunder’s priority now is to nail down a Chiefs starting spot ahead of Nic White and Stu Townsend, as well as fight off his brother.

He said: “Sam joined the senior academy this summer and he’s looked good in the Premiership Shield. It’s massive for the family with our dad (Andy) having played for Chiefs as well.

“Sam’s confident, too, and it’s so important with an 18-year-old No.9 for him to not back away from responsibility and take ownership of games. He’s done so well in his first year out of school and he’ll aim to prove he’s up for the challenge.

“There’s such good quality competition here, with Nic, Stu, Sam and Joe Snow as well, but it’s a challenge I’m ready to embrace. If I can get back to the form I was in 18 months ago, everything else will follow from there.”

Maunder would dearly love another crack with England. He added: “That Argentina tour was massive for me to see how elite players look after themselves, prepare, do the extras and then recover.

“It was only three weeks but I took everything on board and if I’m lucky enough to get into that environment again, I’ll be ready for it.”