England captain Phil Vickery heads into the Six Nations Championship knowing that, unlike many of his rival skippers, he is not guaranteed his place in the team.
Although Vickery led an unfancied England side to the World Cup final in Paris in October, where they were beaten by South Africa, he was banned for two matches earlier in the event for tripping US center Paul Emerick.
His place for the pool matches against South Africa and Samoa was taken by Matt Stevens, who then retained the tighthead prop position for the game against Tonga as well.
PHOTO: AP
Stevens, who at 25 is six years younger than Vickery, has been in fine form for Bath this season and there have been many shrewd judges who thought England coach Brian Ashton was taking loyalty a step too far when he announced the Wasps forward had retained the captaincy of the national side.
Vickery, who insisted "I'm not here to make up the numbers" at the media launch of the Six Nations on Wednesday, is keenly aware of the threat posed to his place by his South African-born rival.
"Matt Stevens is playing fantastically well and he is a great player. However, I always back myself and I'm not that bad a player," said the 60-cap front-row. "I would be bitterly disappointed if any player was just happy to be in the squad. I want extreme pressure from Matt and I have no doubt that if I am not playing well enough Brian Ashton will bring somebody else in."
"We are under no illusions about how hard the Six Nations is going to be and I love doing what I do. That is why I am going to continue to make a nuisance of myself for a bit longer," Vickery said.
England have struggled to impose themselves on Europe's leading international rugby tournament since a Six Nations Grand Slam five years ago paved the way for their 2003 World Cup triumph.
The past four years have seen them finish third, fourth, fourth and third -- a poor return for a nation that considers itself to be one of the major forces in the world game.
"We are fully aware our record has not been good," Vickery said.
"We've been beaten by some good teams, but also produced some poor performances. We are under no illusions about how tough it is going to be," he said.
England's Six Nations opener against Wales at Twickenham on Feb. 2 has been given added spice by the fact that Shaun Edwards, deputy to Wasps supremo Ian McGeechan, will be a member of the visitors' coaching staff.
The former Great Britain rugby league international has joined forces again, in a part-time post, with Wales's new Kiwi coach Warren Gatland, who led Wasps to European Cup glory during his time with the London club.
"He has spoken very openly and honestly with us at Wasps about the opportunity and asked if we had any issues," Vickery said of how Edwards had tackled the subject with his club players.
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