Door still open for Easter as Quins stars sweat on England call (From Your Local Guardian)

Door still open for Easter as Quins stars sweat on England call

12:52pm Friday 4th May 2012 in Harlequins By Stuart Amos

Harlequins No 8 Nick Easter has not given up hope of an England recall this summer.

The 33-year-old has starred for his club since Christmas having been frozen out of head coach Stuart Lancaster’s plans for the Six Nations, with captain Chris Robshaw leading a young side to a second-place finish.

The England chief names his squad for the three-Test tour of South Africa next Thursday, with Robshaw heading the list of Quins players set to be involved.

Full-back Mike Brown, prop Joe Marler, winger Ugo Monye, scrum half Danny Care and lock George Robson will all be waiting nervously to see if they have been given the nod.

And Easter is hoping he is among those checking in at Heathrow when the plane leaves later this month.

“When I had spoken with Stuart earlier in the season he said the door remained open and that I should concentrate on playing well for Quins,” he said.

“I’d like to think I’ve been playing well enough and I’ve really been enjoying my rugby.

“I guess it is a case of watching this space and if I get the call I’ll be more than happy to answer it.”