Cueto will get back into international rugby - Greenwood
Last updated 14:01, Tuesday, 29 July 2008
England World Cup legend Will Greenwood is backing out-of-favour Cumbrian Mark Cueto to force his way back into international rugby.
Cueto was overlooked by Martin Johnson when the new England coach named both the 32-strong England Elite Player squad and the Saxons Elite Player squad earlier this month.
The Sale Sharks full-back – one of only five players in Premiership history to notch up 50 tries – was picked for this year’s RBS Six Nations but failed to add to his 24 caps.
His exclusion from the latest squads came as a major disappointment to Workington-born Cueto, who has drifted out of the international picture despite scoring 13 tries, including two on his debut against Canada in 2004 and a hat-trick against Italy in March 2005.
But Greenwood is confident 28-year-old Cueto’s international career is far from over and believes the player who has been dogged by injuries can force his way into Johnson’s plans.
The former Harlequins centre, who was a key part of England’s 2003 World Cup-winning team, said: “If Mark has a good season at Sale, I see no reason at all why he can’t get himself back in the England set-up. If he can stay free from injuries, he has every chance, and he is always capable of scoring tries
“He has a tremendous finisher and when him and Steve Hanley were in the Sale team together they were formidable.
“I see Mark more as a winger than a full-back, but they have moved him round.
“He’s such a good asset for any team. I always enjoyed being in a dressing room with him. He’s a tremendously sociable guy with no ego and he works really hard.”
Cueto’s fellow Cumbrian Steve Borthwick, who captained England on their disastrous tour of New Zealand, was named in the England Elite Player Squad.
nASPATRIA RFC has been selected to host a brand new social rugby tournament festival, the Heineken 10s, which is being promoted by Greenwood.
With places for over 200 amateur rugby players to take part in the one-day festival at Aspatria RFC on November 22, Cumbrian teams are encouraged to sign up at www.heinekenrugby.co.uk or by registering their interest by email to heineken10s@fstrk.com.
As well as hosting this inaugural competition, the Cumbrian club will receive a legacy donation from Heineken to improve their facilities.
ALittle@cngroup.co.uk
