Jack Kenningham would love Steve Borthwick to give him the green light to cross swords with the Pumas this summer.
Being selected to fly off to Argentina would help put his history of injury problems behind him, plus a frustrating season for Harlequins.
Kenningham, 25, has been one of the Londoners’ standout performers in a campaign which flattered only to deceive on both domestic and European fronts.
His presence in Quins’ title-winning season in 2021 earned him a call-up to the England squad but a spell of bad injuries knocked him back in his bid for a first cap.
A successful appearance for the England A side against Ireland in January pushed his claims for senior honours, and he is still well on Borthwick’s radar despite his club’s disappointing campaign.
Injury-Free Run
And Kenningham claims: “I’m over the moon to have played as much as I have this season. I’m 25 now and since I had my breakthrough year when we won the title there have been hurdles in terms of injuries. So to have a good run of games has been great.
“I loved playing for England A which was fun. Now it is a massive aim of mine to get on a full England tour. I’d love the opportunity to go to Argentina but we shall wait and see if that happens.
“All my long-term injuries are not giving me any problems. You keep monitoring things but, touch wood, I will keep being healthy and fit.
“It’s about picking your opportunity and not chase lost causes. Things such as the jackal, strangle tackle and slowing the opposition ball down are also key aspects I’ve focused on.
“It’s been going well and I feel I have really improved on certain areas of my game this season.
“Will Evans and I bounce off pretty well and we push each other along with our competitiveness.”
On Quins struggling to fight their way into the play-off mix he admits: “It’s been a pretty frustrating season, but we must ensure we finish as strongly as we can.
“Everyone is motivated to do so. The story of our season has been a failure to put our full package out there on the field on a consistent basis.”
Marcus Smith Lions Selection
Fly-half Marcus Smith will be hoping to celebrate his Lions inclusion by ensuring Quins finish off their campaign on a high note.
And boss Danny Wilson has no doubts the fly-half is not about to take his foot off the gas in order to avoid any further setbacks before flying to Australia.
Smith recovered from an ankle injury sustained against Leicester to face Gloucester in yesterday’s Big Summer Kick Off at Twickenham.
Wilson says: “What I love about him is he’s not just a quality player and person but one of the toughest kids I’ve come across playing-wise.
“Marcus being Marcus, his mind is just on fighting for Quins. He was in a fair bit of pain at Welford Road but didn’t come off for his own choice, we had to take him off.”
The best betting sites
