Quins Skinner wants Saxons shirt back
9:00am Wednesday 9th July 2008
Harlequins skipper Will Skinner reckons a flying start to the Guinness Premiership campaign can gift wrap him an England recall come Christmas.
The 24-year-old was omitted from the team boss Martin Johnson's first 64-man elite player squad earlier this month, having captained the international second string to Churchill Cup glory in June.
The terms of the eight-year agreement between the RFU and Premiership clubs mean there can be only five changes to the two 32-man squads in the New Year - injuries excluded.
And Skinner, who takes over the club captaincy from London Scottish-bound Paul Volley this season, thinks a top four finish should be the least of their ambitions.
"I was disappointed not to be involved in the elite player squads. Playing for England is a big ambition and you have to be at least in the Saxons squad to be in touch with that," he said.
"We are setting our goals at a training camp next week and I'm sure a top four finish will be one of them.
"To do that you have to be in touch at Christmas to give yourself a chance of achieving that target.
"That would be good on a personal front as players in top teams playing well, tend to get noticed."
Fulham-based Skinner has had the last three weeks off since returning from North America with the victorious Saxons side - including a chance to spend some time on the golf course.
While Director of rugby Dean Richards has had the rest in - excluding those involved in summer tours - for strength training ahead of the opening day clash with Saracens on September 6.
And Skinner reckons the more groundwork the side can put in, the better prepared Quins will be to challenge on three fronts and avoid a repeat of the miserable mid-season run of the last campaign.
"We had a bad patch around Christmas where we were knocked out of two Cups," he added.
"We want to be competitive in all competitions this year, particularly the Heineken Cup. It is a huge tournament that we want to prove we are capable of performing in.
"The guys will return from international duty confident they can play at the highest level and we must take that into the new season."
Quins have been drawn in the same group as holders Ospreys, London Irish and Worcester Warriors for this season's EDF Energy Cup.
Skinner said: "Playing the semi-final at the Millenium Stadium is a huge motivation for us to do well in the competition."