Tom Litchfield has spent the summer both in the slow and fast lane while also keeping up with how his Northampton Saints pals competed on the Test stage.
And, having enjoyed a first experience sampling the turbo-charged noise and atmosphere at Silverstone, the centre hopes this season can see him also line up on the England starting grid at some point.
While Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith, Tommy Freeman, Ollie Sleightholme, Alex Coles and Henry Pollock have become key players for England, Litchfield is waiting on the cusp and pushing hard to join them.
He certainly proved worthy of a fairly regular place in the impressive triumphant title-winning march of last season when Phil Dowson’s men celebrated a Twickenham defeat of Exeter Chiefs with a victory parade around the rugby-mad town.
Confidence
Litchfield, 24, who started the final alongside Rory Hutchinson in midfield, insists: “Playing international rugby is something that’s always at the back of your mind.
“And, yes, I strive to do it at some stage. A lot of the lads here have managed to have a taste of it.
“They have kicked on to be selected after coming through the academy.
“I didn’t watch too much of the Nations Championship games. I’ve been to Malta for a break and also enjoyed a trip to the British Grand Prix, which was incredible.
“But I kept an eye out for the results. They may not have been what the team was hoping for, but the Saints boys definitely put their best foot forward.
“I had a good year last time, playing the most I have so far since getting a chance in the senior side. Now I am looking to kick on.
“The coaches gave me the chance to show what I can do on the pitch and that gave me the confidence I needed.
“Now, I want to build on what I have done so far, and if other things come from playing well for Northampton, like an England chance, then that will be fantastic.
“There are always areas of my game to improve. I was linking up more in attack. Play off the ball carrier and breaking the line.
“That and bits in my defence are definitely things I want to take forward. You are never the complete article.
“I want to build on what I have done so far, and if other things come from playing well for Northampton then that will be great.”
Stepping out: Tom Litchfield breaks to score a try for Northampton Saints
PICTURES: Getty Images
Hit the ground running
Saints are now busily plotting and building towards having a successful defence of the title they won in such fine fashion back in June.
They do so without a few old fan favourites such as George Furbank, Tom James, James Ramm, Sam Graham and Elliot Millar Mills who have departed for pastures new.
Litchfield and his team-mates face Asia Pacific Lions in Colombo on August 28 and he says: “It’s important to keep pushing through and not rest on our laurels.
“The whole squad knows our game plan now and the boss knows that anyone can step into the side and put in the performance needed.
“We start the season on a Friday night against Red Bulls and it will be great to hit the ground running in front of a home crowd.
“A few of the guys who were here for a while have left but we have kept the core of the squad together and we have new guys pushing through.”
Quality
Northampton have signed Italy tight-head Ion Neculai from Zebre Parma.
The 25-year-old, above, joins the Prem champions after five seasons with Zebre, where he made 51 appearances.
Neculai joins former Zebre team-mate Malik Faissal in moving to Franklin’s Gardens this summer, while Danilo Fischetti transferred in 2025.
Neculai has four senior Italy caps, earning his latest last month in Perth when he came off the bench during his side’s 57-10 defeat against Australia in the Nations Championship.
He linked up with his new team-mates last week for pre-season and said: “The quality of the coaching, the facilities and the players around me were all major factors in my decision.
“I believe this is the right place for me to continue developing my game and challenge myself at the highest level.”
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