Andy Goode, the Leicester fly half, has been called into England’s 30-man training squad ahead of the RBS Six Nations clash with Ireland in Dublin on February 27.
Goode trained with England last month and impressed head coach Andy Robinson with his performance in the England A victory over France A at Bath last Friday.
Robinson said: “Andy has been knocking on the England door recently, with his good form for Leicester and I felt he impressed last week in his A game performance. So he earns his selection to the squad for what will be a massively important game against Ireland.”
The 24-year-old’s performance for England A, in which he scored ten points via his boot points and contributed a clever tactical kicking game in the 30-20 victory, came the night before Charlie Hodgson poor performance at Twickenham as France snatched victory.
Ollie Smith, the Leicester centre, was also impressive that evening and underlined his international credentials by scoring one try and setting up another.
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Smith has also been included in the 30-man squad, along with Newcastle’s 19-year-old Mathew Tait, who started against Wales in Cardiff but was then axed from the match 22 to play France.