Olly Barkley still keen on England return
23/08/2010
Olly Barkley has stressed he is just as eager as ever to figure for his country in front of fans with tickets for England rugby matches.
The Bath inside centre controversially expressed his disappointment at being left out of the Test side during this summer's tour of Australia and has since been axed from both the Elite Player Squad and the second-tier Saxons.
Despite this, the ex-Gloucester star revealed he is still keen to play in front of fans with tickets for England rugby contests, stating he feels "philosophical" about recent events.
Speaking to the Guardian, Barkley commented: "I am never going to kiss England goodbye: I am not that narrow-minded. But it is quite clear I do not figure in their plans at the moment."
England coach Martin Johnson has said there are areas of the 28-year-old's game that must be improved if he is to win his cherished recall.
Barkley has so far been capped 23 times by his country, scoring 82 points in the process.
Posted by Keith Prowse