David Strettle's new take on hard luck story

Making a point: David Strettle is one of six Saracens players called up by England

10 April 2012

David Strettle could well be the unluckiest man in English rugby. True, it's hard to think of someone who is a Premiership champion and has been recalled to the England squad as unfortunate.

However, Strettle was regarded as one of the brightest young talents in the country five years ago only for injuries and illnesses to restrict him to just seven caps.

Now, though, Strettle is a man transformed. His move from Harlequins to Saracens in the summer of 2010 revitalised his career, and he is reproducing the form that saw him score on his Test debut against Ireland.

Many thought he was harshly left out of Martin Johnson's World Cup squad having been in the 45-man training group but he is back in the fold after being named in Stuart Lancaster's Elite Performance Squad last week.

Having suffered the misfortune of breaking the same metatarsal three times - once just before the 2007 World Cup and again at the start of the 2008 Six Nations - Strettle is quick to appreciate success when it comes.

"If it wasn't for the injuries then I think I'd be in double figures for caps," he said with a rueful smile. "To get injured just before the World Cup and then in the first game of the Six Nations - what can you do? It's unfortunate but I'm just chuffed to have got seven caps.

"There are a lot of players who don't get the chance to pull on the England shirt so I am very pleased to have done that - now fingers crossed that under this regime I can add to that.

"A lot of lads come through the system, and think from the age of 16: 'I'm going to play for England'. I came through the back route, having played for Rotherham before joining Quins. It does make you feel very lucky. I never thought I would ever play for England until I was told by (then England coach) Brian Ashton that I would be starting against Ireland.

"Now, I've been in and out of the squad for a while, and that's difficult, because if you're not playing for England on the weekend you are released to go back to your club.

"The way the coaching week is here I'll come back on a Thursday and might have an hour and 10 minutes to learn everything for the game on the weekend, which you want to impress in so you can play for England.

"But the important thing I have learned at Saracens is that it's all about the squad. If we can get that right with England it will just be amazing."

Saracens are certainly doing things right. A losing bonus point away to Treviso on Sunday will seal their place in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals while six players have been called up for the Six Nations.

Strettle believes Saracens' international recognition is long overdue. He said: "In any sport, if a team win the league and their English players are playing well, they should warrant selection. For whatever reason they weren't and I am glad that a new coaching structure has come in and recognised Brad Barritt and Owen Farrell because they were lynchpins for the team last year and are again this year as well."

There should be an even stronger Saracens presence in the England squad next season after the club confirmed yesterday that Chris Ashton will join them in the summer.

The wing's arrival from Northampton will provide competition for Strettle but the 28-year-old said: "I welcome Chris's signing, definitely. Having anyone of that calibre joining us will benefit the team as a whole - and that's what Saracens is all about."

David Strettle's new take on hard luck story

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