VETERAN Harlequin Nick Easter is a man on a mission for the remainder of this season: he’s hell-bent on proving his critics wrong by claiming an unlikely place in Stuart Lancaster’s England World Cup squad.

Impressive form for Quins, coupled with an untimely injury for Gloucester No.8 Ben Morgan, led to Easter being recalled for this season’s Six Nations after more than three years.

The 36-year-old's last international start had come in the defeat by France in the quarter-finals of the 2011 World Cup, and he was subsequently omitted by England once Lancaster became coach in early 2012.

But his ability to cover at No.8, as well as in the second row, led to him featuring as a replacement for England against Wales, Italy, Ireland and France in this year’s Six Nations. The veteran won his 50th international cap in Dublin.

Easter’s return to England colours is seen by most as simply a short-term option as the likes of Morgan and Wasp Joe Launchbury battle their way back to full fitness.

But Easter thinks differently.

“It’s going to be tough making the World Cup squad, with Ben Morgan coming back to full fitness,” said Easter, speaking at the Rosslyn Park HSBC National Schools Sevens.

“But I back myself to make it and I just hope I get a chance in the final World Cup warm-ups.

“Then the coaches have to make the decision from there about whether or not to select me, but I back myself to make it.

“I would not mind becoming the oldest scorer for England at the World Cup. It would be a really nice thing to add to my career and I’m desperate to get the opportunity.

“I’m still gutted about the end to the Six Nations. We had chances to win it and, unfortunately, we just came up short – that’s the overriding feeling amongst the players.”

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