MX23RW : Thursday, November 7 15:53:36| >> :600:11801780:11801780:

Harrison to get head down and get stuck in after three-year England wait

Teimana Harrison has five caps but all were won in 2016.

Teimana Harrison views Sunday's clash with the Barbarians as a redemptive occasion to prove his worth in an England jersey.

All of Harrison's five caps were won in 2016, including the final Test of a 3-0 series win in Australia that saw the Northampton back row replaced after only 31 minutes on account of being outmuscled at the breakdown.

The looming non-cap showdown at Twickenham ends a three-year international exile he admits took its toll on his confidence.

"I guess there is a little bit of a point to prove," said harrison.  "I haven't had the best run in an England shirt so it would be nice to get out there and put in a good shift with the boys.

"I took a little bit of rebuilding after 2016 but at the time I was focusing too much on 'I have to do this, I have to make England again'.

"Your confidence does take a hit when something like that happens. You've got to get your head down and work yourself out of it.

"So I put England to one side and thought if I played well, my performance would get me there. Worrying about it wasn't going to do anything.

"I went away and thought 'If I play well for the club, I may get an opportunity'. I'm quite lucky, I have got an opportunity so it's time to get my head down and get stuck in."

Harrison's preparation for Sunday has been interrupted by the birth of his first child, a boy named Wolfe

"I've been doing a bit of back and forth from Northampton but I'm pretty set on what I've got to do, and my missus has backed me so I'm preparing the best I can," added Harrison.

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Duncan Bech, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'a28088f1-a491-41c0-a998-ade192d6c953');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:uk,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:rugby-union');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Harrison to get head down and get stuck in after three-year England wait'});

ID:360890: cacheID:360890:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3779:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Adam Jones of Wales during the RBS Six Nations match between Wales and Italy at the Millenium Stadium on February 1, 2014
Read Next:
Interview: Iconic Wales and Lions prop Adam Jones
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!