Cueto: I didn’t think I’d get back in an England shirt

ENGLAND wing Mark Cueto has revealed the full extent of a prolonged injury nightmare that left him wondering whether he would play top-level rugby again.

Cueto’s 15-month spell away from international rugby could end when England launch their Six Nations campaign against Italy at Twickenham next week.

He has not been seen in England colours since the 2007 World Cup final when he came agonisingly close to scoring in the corner, only to be tackled into touch.

England subsequently relinquished their world crown to South Africa but Cueto soon found himself braced for an even tougher battle. A bulging disc in his back contributed heavily towards hamstring and calf injuries, leaving the 29-year-old facing one of the most frustrating fitness fights imaginable.

Now restored to England’s elite squad, Cueto is ready to resume a Test career that has seen him score 13 tries in 24 games, while he also jointly tops this season’s Guinness Premiership try chart alongside Ugo Monye, Olly Morgan and David Lemi.

Cueto said: “There was a point when I didn’t think I would get back in a Sale Sharks shirt, let alone an England shirt.

“I kept breaking down and nobody could actually say why,” said Cueto.

“So from that point of view, if you don’t know why you are breaking down, you don’t know how to prevent it from happening again.

“It was a recurrence of the same injury, and after 12 months of breaking down up to 20 times in that period, it gets pretty frustrating.”

Now that he is fit and firing on all cylinders again, England manager Martin Johnson must hope Cueto and the likes of centre Mike Tindall — another player recalled following the dismal autumn Test campaign — can spark a revival of fortunes.

And Cueto, if the opportunity arises against Italy, is ready to take his chance with both hands.

“It has felt like an eternity since I was involved,” said Cueto, speaking from England’s pre-Six Nations training camp in Portugal.

“But from the minute you arrive and stick the kit back on, it has felt like I’ve never been away.

“The general feel of this week is that we’ve got the players to win international games — it is just a case of having a simple game plan and allowing the boys to go out and do what they do week in, week out for their clubs on the international stage.

“With three of the five games at home, it puts us in a good position, and hopefully we can get England back on the right road and start winning games and building some momentum.”