Paul Hodgson carries his international ambitions into Sunday's Cup final with London Irish.
When London Irish's Paul Hodgson strolls onto the lush turf of the Stoop on Sunday, there will be more than a European Challenge Cup at stake for the talented scrum half.
Hodgson comes face-to-face with Gloucester and opposite number Peter Richards, the man widely seen as his main rival for a place in the full England squad.
After the outcome of this weekend's all-England final, Richards will jet off to take on Australia while an envious Hodgson will have to make do with a less glamorous appearance for the England Saxons in Canada.
"In every game you play you want to get one over on your opposite number," Hodgson told the Daily Express.
"I was slightly disappointed not to be going on the Australia tour, but Canada will give me a great opportunity to show what I can do."
Looking back on a season that has seen the Exiles reach a European final, a Premiership semi-final, and qualify for the Heineken Cup, Hodgson can justifiably feel aggrieved that he has not made greater strides towards England's starting XV.
However, the 24-year-old has not given up on overshadowing the likes of Richards, Harry Ellis and Shaun Perry as the longterm successor to the retired Matt Dawson, and he plans to use Sunday's showpiece as a platform to display his talents.
"The scrum half position at the 2007 World Cup is definitely still up for grabs if I can put in some good performances," Hodgson continued.
"I want to do what I have been doing for London Irish and show my skill levels are good enough, that I can break down defences with my running and that I work hard."
Looking ahead to the European Challenge Cup final, he commented: "Our aim was Heineken Cup rugby and we've done that. But it has been a great season and I couldn't think of a better way to end it than with silverware."
See if Hodgson can lead London Irish to success against Gloucester on Sunday, live on Sky Sports 2.
