Bath Rugby hoping for further England call-ups as reward for fine form

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Bath Rugby’s coaching staff hope it will be a happy new year for their England contingent, with their excellent form being rewarded with call-ups to the EPS squad in 2014.

National head coach Stuart Lancaster is set to name a revised squad in two weeks’ time ahead of the Six Nations, which gets under way in early February.

Bath extended their winning run to an 11th game in all competitions by beating Harlequins in the Aviva Premiership on Saturday, cementing their place in the top-four in the process.

Bath’s Dave Attwood, Davey Wilson and Kyle Eastmond are currently in the EPS squad, while Rob Webber, Jonathan Joseph and George Ford are all in the Saxons set-up.

Forwards boss Neal Hatley says recent performances warrant the inclusion of more Bath players in the Red Rose camp.

“I’d love to think someone like Rob Webber would be in with a chance of joining the EPS squad,” said former prop Hatley.

“He’s been exceptional for us. And guys like Nathan Catt and Carl Fearns have done really well too.

“Jonathan Joseph has done a lot of the unnoticed work for us recently and has done it really well. He obviously took his try on Saturday exceptionally well too.

“And people like George Ford, Anthony Watson and Matt Banahan have all been putting their hands up as well.

“We’d like to think that our good form will be reflected in the squad.”

Fly-half Ford’s excellent early-season showings for Bath have led many to call for his promotion to the EPS squad.

Lancaster already has a wealth of young tens at his disposal in the shape of Owen Farrell and Freddie Burns but Bath first-team coach Toby Booth says Ford is one of a number of the club’s players who deserve their chance.

“I know he’s a very, very good player but it’s whether they decide to pick him,” said Booth.

“Up until Saturday his goal kicking has been outstanding. His temperament is outstanding, no one works harder than him.

“How do you know if someone is ready, give them a shot.

“I’d level that at a number of our players. We’re not where we are in the table by accident.”

Article source: http://www.express.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/406219/Corbisiero-handed-Lions-debut

Bath Rugby hoping for further England call-ups as reward for fine form