LONDON – Christian Wade remains hopeful that he will receive a spot in England coach Stuart Lancaster’s RBS 6 Nations squad.
The England Saxons winger has not played for England since the 2013 tour to Argentina, but a multitude of injuries to Lancaster’s team saw Henry Slade and Henry Thomas called up on Saturday as cover and Wade is preparing himself to possibly follow in their footsteps.
“It has been over a year since I have been in this environment and it was great to be called up by the Saxons and to get on as well. I’m just delighted to be here and back in the mix,” Wade said.
“When you see injuries you see how close you are to getting the call-up. Ultimately we have to be prepared at all times because we never know what is going to happen and we have to be ready to go.
“For me, it is about going out there and expressing what I do for my club at this level. All of us are here for a reason – to represent our country and put ourselves forward for the RBS 6 Nations and the World Cup.”
What he does for his club is certainly impressive. In a convincing performance possibly meant as a timely demonstration for Lancaster, Wade came off the bench Friday to score as the Saxons beat Ireland Wolfhounds 18-9 in Cork.
Wade’s Saxons teammate Sam Burgess will also spend two days with the senior squad this week, and Wade was quick to praise the 26-year-old after his representative debut at Irish Independent Park.
“Sam went well,” Wade said. “He carried well over the gain line and in a short space of time he knows the game pretty well. He’s only going to get better.
“He has got the skills and if he gets more time on the ball he is going to tear teams apart. He did that in league and he can do that in union.”