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Saracens coach backs flanker Will Fraser to make England squad ahead of World Cup

Image: Will Fraser: Tipped to play for England by Saracens coach Paul Gustard

Saracens defence coach Paul Gustard has backed Will Fraser to force his way into England's plans for the 2015 World Cup.

The 24-year-old had looked certain to feature for Stuart Lancaster's side last season when injury struck in November, but Gustard remains adamant the promising flanker still has time to force his way into the reckoning.

He said of Fraser: "Will without doubt has the potential to be an England player and hopefully he will be before next year's World Cup.

"Will Fraser is as good as anybody else out there in my opinion. And he's proven that in the short glimpses we've seen of him in the last two or three seasons.

"He's had a dreadful time with injuries, but he's worked unbelievably hard and is now in great shape. Will's level-headed enough as are all our players, to know the steps he needs.

"If he plays well for Saracens and does the right things by Saracens then he will get opportunities with England.

"If he looks too far ahead, with one eye on the goal you'll only have one eye on the path and will come unstuck.

"Everyone has to remain focused on Saracens and doing well for us. The door's always open for England, if you're playing well then they can't turn you down.

"They're definitely not going to cut their nose off to spite their face.

"I firmly believe he will play for England and I think he's got a good chance of doing that at the World Cup."

Having played for England U16s, Fraser joined Sarries in 2011 and went on to play for England Counties and England Saxons. He was called into the 2013 Six Nations squad but was left out of the match-day squads and missed out on the tour of Argentina later that year because of injury.

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