Tom Roebuck sets England objective after ‘up and down’ Six Nations
Tom Roebuck on his impressive form for Sale Sharks and England.
In-form winger Tom Roebuck is not stressing about his place in the England pecking order and says he is more focused on helping Sale Sharks reach the play-offs.
Alex Sanderson’s men beat defending champions Northampton 27-24 at home on Friday night for their second successive bonus-point win since the Premiership resumed.
Roebuck bagged a superb first-half brace against Saints and is enjoying arguably the best season of his career.
Sale‘s homegrown wideman earned his fourth England cap in the recent demolition of Wales in the final Six Nations game, getting on the scoresheet in the 68-14 win.
England battle
He appears behind Northampton duo Ollie Sleightholme and Tommy Freeman – and the injured Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – as Steve Borthwick’s first-choice wingers.
Roebuck, who has won four England caps since making his debut last summer, said: “I wouldn’t really comment on where I am in his thoughts because that’s for him to decide.
“All I can do is play well for Sale or England and try and do the best I can but I definitely want to keep pushing on.
“I’ve had four experiences on the pitch in an England shirt and it’s something I definitely relish.
“I just want to keep pushing forward and get as many as I possibly can.”
Roebuck played just once during the Six Nations but was delighted to finish it on a high with his try in Cardiff.
“It was an up and down experience,” he admitted.
“I won’t lie – it’s obviously not nice when you’re not in the team – but to finish the way we did and go and do a job in Wales and get on the pitch was massive. I loved every minute of it.”
Roebuck has emerged as one of the finest finishers in the Premiership in the past couple of seasons.
The 24-year-old added: “Is this the best season I’ve had?
“I’m never going to be the one to say how well I’m playing – I’ll let other people judge that.
“But I’d like to back myself and be confident in every game I play.
“It’s more a case of ‘am I getting better and doing what I need to do to get to where I want to be?’
“This season has been a massive step there and clearly there are places to get better at.
“But with the way this season’s going, I think we can be quite happy with where I’m at.”
Play-off goal
Sale boss Sanderson reckons his side might need to claim five bonus-point wins from their remaining games in order to seal a top-four finish.
“Of course the play-offs are the goal,” said Roebuck.
“We always speak about being a team who want to make the top four come the end of the season.
“This season is no different and we’re obviously in and around the mix.
“We know there are a few big games coming up and that’s when it’ll become a real scrap. But we want to back ourselves to get there.”
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