“I’d say No to England if they called,” says James Simpson-Daniel
After years of “holding tackle bags” at England training camps, the 31-year-old Gloucester mainstay – whose ten caps are widely regarded as scant reward for such a prodigious talent – admits his focus is now on securing a final deal at Kingsholm rather than any international call.
Best remembered for skinning Barbarians Jonah Lomu and Christian Cullen at Twickenham in 2002, Simpson- Daniel, known universally as Sinbad, achieved his caps between that year and 2007.
He was last in the England set up in 2011 when he was part of Martin Johnson’s pre-World Cup training squad, but was cut before the final set of pre-tournament friendlies.
Simpson-Daniel does not expect head coach Lancaster to offer him a recall, and admits his gut feeling would be to rule himself out if he were to be approached.
“I’ve had a lot of years of going down to England training on a Sunday night and holding tackle bags and wearing tackle suits and then coming back to Gloucester on the Tuesday, and never getting the appearance on the weekend for the international team,” he told The Rugby Paper.
“There was a lot of back and forth, back and forth. Thankfully, it never really affected me, I’ve always been able to just concentrate on the club.
“England has gone now. Even if they’d come along last season I’m not sure if I’d have been available. I’ve got a young child now and another on the way and I’m quite happy here. I’m really happy just playing for the club.
“You never say never but even if every winger dropped down and they rang, even then I don’t think I’d be available.”
Simpson-Daniel underwent two shoulder operations last season after an eye-catching start to the campaign, and admits he is at the stage of his career where he is starting to think about a final contract – although his 40m splits are still up there with fleet-footed youngsters such as Jonny May and Charlie Sharples.
“I’ve started to think about it now. I’ve still got this season on my contract and I’d certainly want another one, it’s just how long – whether I go for a two-year or three-year,” he said.
“The argument is that until I got injured halfway through last season, I was playing arguably my best rugby, as close to the best I’ve ever done in my career.
“If I can stay fit and get my form good this season hopefully that will line me up for another two or three years.
“That would take me up to 33 or 34 and for a winger there’s going to be a moment when the young lads come in and your body and mind are probably going to start to slow. But I’m not there yet.
“The closest I’ve ever been to leaving Gloucester was at my last contract negotiation. I looked around a French club but I was relieved and happy when I made the decision to stay.
“I’d like to stay here. If I’m happy with what the club offer me then I don’t see why I wouldn’t stay, unless something changes on the outside.
“I love it here, it’s my 13th season. I’ll always be happy here.”
TOM BARDSHAW
