Delon Armitage is grateful for getting a chance with England - and now plans to make himself a permanent fixture at full-back.
Full-back had doubts over whether he could play at the highest level
Delon Armitage is grateful for getting a chance with England - and now plans to make himself a permanent fixture in the team.
The full-back has been one of the few bright spots in a dismal autumn series that has seen Martin Johnson's side lose three of their four games.
Thrust into the starting XV having not even been selected in the top 64 players back in July, Armitage has turned in some assured displays.
Now the 24-year-old heads back to London Irish looking to continue his development having previously doubted whether he could cut it at the top level.
Compete
"What have I have learned? That I can compete at the top level whereas I had doubts before," he said.
"I am happy Martin Johnson and Brian Smith gave me a chance to put on an England shirt - and I want to the England number 15 for some time.
"They told me to go out and play the way that got me into the team in the first place and that is what I tried to do.
"But for me, getting there is not enough. I want to progress my game and get better and better.
"Now we have this break before the Six Nations I can go back to the club and work on all the things I need to in order to achieve that.
"We want to go into the Six Nations to win it. We want to be a force at Twickenham."
Armitage could do little to stop New Zealand making it a hat-trick of wins for the Tri-Nations teams at Twickenham on Saturday.
The 32-6 loss, which followed on from defeats at the hands of Australia and South Africa, was particularly disappointing for Riki Flutey, who was lining up against the country of his birth.
The London Wasps centre played for the All Blacks at Under-19 level alongside their current captain, flanker Richie McCaw.
Haka
However he is now part of England's long-term plans, meaning he found himself at the weekend in the unfamiliar position of facing the haka.
"It felt like they were doing the haka for me - seeing as I was the only Maori out on the starting pitch," he laughed.
"I have really enjoyed the experience of playing at this level. If we can create quicker ball then hopefully we can get a few more line breaks.
"After the game I went into their changing room and shared a water with them, because that is what we do as professionals nowadays!
"It was nice. I am disappointed in the result - it would have been nice to have a win over the boys - but they were happy for me.
"They know I didn't get a hell of a lot of game-time back in New Zealand and didn't really take my opportunities when I was given them."
