Riki Flutey hopes to become the first man to play both for and against the Lions this summer.
Former New Zealand Maori hoping to make McGeechan's squad
England centre Riki Flutey hopes to go on to become the first man to play both for and against the British and Irish Lions this summer.
The former New Zealand Maori representative came off the bench for Wellington in a 23-6 defeat to Sir Clive Woodward's Lions in 2005 before pursuing a club career in the Guinness Premiership.
He has gone on to prove an increasingly influential member of Martin Johnson's England team since completing a three-year residency period.
And after scoring twice in last Sunday's 34-10 demolition of France, the Wasps back now says he wants to make Ian McGeechan's squad for the tour of South Africa.
"I am all about playing consistently good rugby for England and if I can keep that up then hopefully other things will fall into place," Flutey said.
"Every player playing in the Six Nations who is eligible for the Lions I am sure has it in the back of their minds because at the end of the day it is the ultimate goal.
"In 2005 I played against the Lions for Wellington and that was a fantastic occasion. The Lions are well respected and it is huge in New Zealand. I remember as a kid my father had all the old Lions tapes."
Commitment
Flutey would not be the first Lion born outside of Britain and Ireland, though, because a century ago Tom Richards settled in Britain after playing for Australia on their 1908 tour and he was called up for the 1910 Lions in South Africa.
And having turned his back on New Zealand, the 29-year-old Wasps star insists he is happy with the choice he made.
"From the day I was asked to be in the squad by Johnno until now, this is everything I expected and wanted to achieve," he said.
"I have loved this environment and representing England. I haven't had any stick for quite some time now about being Kiwi so I think they are getting more comfortable with me being around!
"Every New Zealand kid's dream was to play for the All Blacks but I have no regrets whatsoever."
Flutey again starts for Johnson's side in the Calcutta Cup tie with Scotland at the weekend in his last chance to impress on the RBS Six Nations stage before the Lions squad is named.
