Matt still hopes for an England call
MATT Rogerson still harbours dreams of pulling on the England jersey and feels this is his big year to press his claims.
The flanker realises that, at 28, he needs to prove to Eddie Jones his all-action and passionate performances for London Irish can transfer onto the international stage.
Irish diehards will tell you the flanker should be banging on the international door after his inspirational displays last season where he helped the Exiles threaten a top half finish before they ran out of steam.
Rogerson’s commitment to the cause has been rewarded with the captaincy. He says: “I still have ambitions to play at the highest level. England have always been so strong in the back row, the competition has been very fierce with so much talent around.
“I came through a different route to others as I progressed from university into club rugby and not via any academy. So I started professionally a bit later than most, and a lot of guys you see now in the England senior squad were identified at a very early age which is something I missed out on.
“All I can do is perform my best for Irish week in week out and hope someone from England opens the door for me. It’s something that is at the back of my mind, especially as I’m getting a little bit older. I’m probably pushing the higher age bracket in terms of England but if I’m playing well I feel it could still be realistic.
“It’s a big year for me personally but also the club. These are exciting times at Irish and we want to really build on what we did last season.
“I’m delighted to lead the side but we have such a hugely experienced set of guys and there are probably ten or twelve who all could have been captain. “I think the coaches identified me last season as someone who leaves it all out there on the field. I try to lead from the front and by example. That usually brings the guys along with me. It’s my job to galvanise the group and make sure we are on task. Then, when the talking it done, it’s time for action and that’s when I like to come into my own.” Irish visit Worcester Warriors on Saturday and will hope young guns Ollie HassellCollins, left, and Tom Parton, who were called up to England’s summer training camps, plus Ben Loader, will be ready to fire.
Rogerson says building Brentford Stadium into a noisy fortress can lay the foundation for a vast improvement on last season’s ninth place.
Rogerson added: “We were in reach of a top half finish last season until a few results got away from us. Now we want to make a strong start and get on a bit of a roll.
“Squads are getting fitter, faster and better. All 13 teams are well equipped to keep going throughout the season.
“Being back in London is a real positive. When we did finally have a few thousand in it made such a difference. The more noise and backing we have the more we rise to the occasion as a team.”