Paris: Nick Abendanon’s outstanding form for Clermont in Top 14 and European Champions Cup action has sent out a timely reminder to England coach Stuart Lancaster ahead of this year’s World Cup.
The 28-year-old South African-born full-back won two caps for England, against the country of his birth and France, way back in 2007.
His performances for Bath, with whom he played more than 200 matches over eight seasons between 2005-14, and subsequent fleet-footed form for Clermont have led many pundits to ask why he hasn’t featured more.
After helping Clermont to a 37-5 rout of Northampton in the European Champions Cup quarter-final on Saturday - his try-scoring performance winning him the man-of-the-match accolade, Abendanon admitted to feeling aggrieved at his lack of international honours.
“There’s been no communication so I’ve just got to keep working here and if Clermont keep playing well then maybe I’ll be called up to the World Cup training squad but we’ll see,” Abendanon said.
“Deep down I’m still upset that over the last 10 years I’ve only had two caps and I’ve always wanted to play more for England.”
But Abendanon faces an uphill struggle, not only because of the form of incumbent Mike Brown and favoured deputy Alex Goode, but also because Lancaster selects players solely plying their trade in the English Premiership.
“It’s about timing, Mike Brown has been in great form for the last six or seven years and Alex Goode has also got that utility that England like - Browny never seems to get injured either!” Abendanon told Sky Sports.
“At times it is waiting for an injury or an opportunity. It helps when you play in a winning team and unfortunately when I was at Bath we were in the middle of the pack for a few seasons.
“I’m not really worrying about England. If I keep playing well there may be dispensation but that’s not at the front of my mind at all.
“In the back of my head I’ve always wanted to play more for England. To maybe get that opportunity for a World Cup in England would be a dream come true.”
