Jono Ross backed for England call-up

Editor

Sale Sharks’ director of rugby Steve Diamond believes that flanker Jono Ross deserves to be in England’s squad to tour South Africa in June.

The back-rower has enjoyed a fine first season with the Greater Manchester outfit having signed from Stade Francais ahead of the 2017/18 campaign.

Ross is South African-born but English-qualified through his grandmother and has impressed as Sale pushed for Champions Cup qualification.

Although that was derailed by Leicester Tigers on Saturday, Diamond insists that the 27-year-old has done enough to feature for the Red Rose in the near future.

“He’s a Test player,” Diamond said. “His statistics are very high, he’s got a lot of experience under his belt and is still only 27, but that’s in the lap of the gods really.

“He would be in most teams in the world’s top-six, or certainly in their squads, but England do have a plethora of players in these positions. If it’s not this summer, it won’t be too long before the doorbell rings for Jono.”

Despite the plaudits, Ross has not concerned himself with potential England selection and was disappointed by their performance at home to the Tigers.

The flanker added: “Obviously, my focus has solely been at Sale. I said before the (Leicester) game if we didn’t make the top-six, we would have let ourselves down so, to be honest, that’s where my sole focus has been.

“If something came off the back of that, it would be great, but I was massively disappointed with what happened against Leicester.

“I can’t control what happens outside of here, I can only control my performances. It wasn’t good enough on Saturday but, if I get picked, then great. If I don’t, I will have a good break and come back stronger next year.”