Stooke waits to jump on merry go round

Africa and Australia but has received encouragement from Jones, meaning a first senior cap could soon be his if he can break past England’s established second rows.

Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes and Bath teammate Charlie Ewels bar his path, but durable Stooke said: “It’s a strong core of second rows England have but if there are any injuries, I’ll certainly put my hand up.

“You want to keep pushing them and while they’ll BATH hard case Elliott Stooke is ready to take his game to new levels and prove why he can still play a part in England’s march to World Cup glory.

Stooke, right, already a world champion having helped England U20s to their breakthrough Junior World Cup success in 2013, is aiming to double-up after swooping in as a left-field squad pick by boss Eddie Jones during the November series.

The uncompromising lock had to settle for being 24th man against South be looking to stay healthy, it’s a bit like a merry go round with guys trying to get the best out of each other.

“I was 24th man a couple of times and was bloody over the moon to be involved. I’ve come back from that and tried to build my game.

“Eddie and the England coaches have stayed in contact and I’ve had good dialogue with Steve Borthwick.” While Stooke’s lineout work and enforcement qualities around the park are top notch, he knows what happens at the breakdown counts most. He said: “The breakdown work is massive at international level and any turnover ball is huge. It’s breakdown stuff I’m mainly working on, the sharpness and speed around it and the quickness of ball you’re trying to develop.

“Then it’s about repeated efforts – maximum efforts over and over again whether that be around the breakdown, contact, defensive and attacking collisions and then ensuring your catching and passing are right.

“All that’s massive for a front-five forward in international rugby but, while it’s been tough, I feel I’m putting my best foot forward to be selected again.”