Strettle eyes Lions tour

7:59am Thursday 27th March 2008

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David Strettle may have spent the past two months on the sidelines but he has put a slot on the British Lions tour to South Africa in 2009 top of his wishlist.

The 24-year-old Harlequins and England winger has been kicking his heels since injuring a metatarsal against eventual Grand Slam winners Wales last month.

But the former Rotherham man, who once turned down a contract with rugby league team St Helens, believes anything is possible after his rapid rise to stardom.

"I was in a team meeting at Rotherham two years ago and the coach pointed to me and said I would be playing in the Six Nations the following year. I just laughed my head off, but he was right," he said.

"Three years from now, the perfect scenario would for me would be playing regularly for England and Quins, and a Lions tour under my belt.

"Things happen quickly in rugby. That is the great thing about it - you never know what is going to happen.

"I am enjoying life and my rugby. I have had a few injuries, but - touch wood - it has not been the worst season."

Strettle's untimely injury cost him a place at last year's World Cup, forcing him to watch England's charge to the final from the sofa.

He recovered in time to be restored for this year's Six Nations, but aggravated the injury in the opening-day defeat to the Welsh, missing the next four games.

England went on to finish second in the table but head coach Brian Ashton has still copped plenty of criticism, much to the dismay of Strettle, who claims the national chief has made him a better player.

"I can only speak highly of Brian because he gave me his first cap," he said.

"When I hear a coach give me the go-ahead to play expansive rugby, which Brian does, I am all for it. Whenever I have worked with Brian or any of the staff at England, it has definitely benefited me as a player.

"When you move up to a new level it is hard because you are playing better players and coached by better coaches.

"It can be quite intimidating to start with, but then you realise how much it helps you as a player.

"The best thing is coming back to Quins knowing you have become a better player."

Strettle was speaking at the launch of Harlequins London City Scrum Tough Rugby Tournament, where he will be one of 20 Quins players mentoring 10 teams of City boys battling it out for the City Scrum Cup on April 3.