England coach Stuart Lancaster recalls versatile forward Calum Clark after ban
Thursday 10 January 2013 10:50, UK
Image:Calum Clark: missed England's summer tour and the autumn internationals
England coach Stuart Lancaster believes Calum Clark deserves a second chance in international rugby after naming the Northampton forward in his elite-player squad.
Athletic
"In addition to his desire to win, his versatility in the second row is an option for us. He is incredibly athletic and very good in the contact areas," Lancaster said.
"He's got to have the desire to play in the second row for him to be successful. I've checked that is the case and he's happy."
The England boss believes the Saints player can make a similar impact during the Six Nations that fresh faces like Joe Launchbury, Tom Youngs and Mako Vunipola managed last autumn.
"What he's got to do is make the step from a good player of potential to an international player," Lancaster - who watched Clark develop through the Leeds academy - added.
Launchbury, Youngs, Vunipola and fly-half Freddie Burns have all been officially promoted into the senior squad, having been called up for the autumn Tests as injury cover.
