Leicester centre Anthony Allen is determined to shed his tag as just a good Premiership player as his side chase glory on two fronts this season.
Last week's 17-12 victory over Gloucester saw the Tigers consolidate their place in third and cling to the coattails of the leaders, largely thanks to Allen's try against his former club.
Allen has been in impressive form throughout this season and while he was involved with England squads during the autumn, the last of his two international appearances came in 2006.
Often regarded as one of the most consistent Premiership performers, Allen is also sometimes accused of reaching his glass ceiling at domestic level.
But the 26-year-old believes that label is unfair - at least until he gets another chance in England colours where he could team up with club-mate Manu Tuilagi in the centres.
"It is a bit frustrating because it just makes me think, 'how can people say that when I haven't really had a chance for England'," said Allen.
"It's a completely different England set-up now to the one that I was involved in before and it was pleasing to be in and around the squad in the autumn.
"I'm pleased with my form at the moment - and that comes from the team playing well as a whole - and who knows what may happen in the Six Nations if there are a few injuries.
"There are a lot of very good players in there at the moment but I guess Manu is one of the stand-out players and I obviously know him well from playing together at Leicester and know his strengths.
"There's nothing wrong with being called a good Premiership player, it's no bad thing, and I'll accept it as a tag but only if and when I get another chance for England and the chance to prove myself at that level."
Allen and co are on the back of a five-game winning streak in all competitions ahead of Friday's clash with Worcester Warriors and have been boosted by the return to action of Tom Croft, who is back after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a neck injury.
And Allen is tipping the England and Lions flanker to hit the ground running.
"It's great to see him back and it's great that he's going straight into the starting line-up and will be able to just do his own thing from the off," added Allen.
"Everyone at the club is pleased to see him back in the side because he's such an important player for club and country. I'm sure he'll be fine getting straight back into it."
Comments
rugby_rockstar says...
Good post TV Addict.
Remember Leicester's Leon Lloyd and Tim Stimson? more circa 2000 / 2001 than you're team though. Mark Reagan had to wait for Phil Greening, Dorian West AND Steve Thompson to have their day in the sun before having a late swan song in 2007.
Posted 13:38 07th January 2013
TVaddict says...
My dream team of players who are good club level players, who either haven't made the grade internationally or haven't been allowed to make their mark internationally:
1) Wood, 2) Paice, 3) Stevens, 4) Borthwick, 5) Kennedy, 6) Crane, 7) Dowson, 8) Narraway, 9) Dickson, 10) Hodgson, 11) Simpson-Daniel, 12) Allen, 13) Banahan, 14) Varndell, 15) Abendanon
A team that you would probably have access to all year round who would be a pretty formidable combination and are all consistent performers. I think the second row and the back three are particularly strong.
Posted 01:36 04th January 2013