- Riki Flutey delighted to be back at in England after year in France
- You don’t appreciate what you’ve got until it’s gone – Flutey
Riki Flutey’s England ambitions were the driving force behind his return to the Aviva Premiership with London Wasps this season as he prepares to take on Harlequins at Twickenham in tomorrow’s London Double Header.
Having managed just five starts in an injury ravaged campaign with French side Brive, the 30-year-old is happy to once again call Adams Park ‘home’ and hopes to recapture the form which made him an England regular and British & Irish Lion.
“I’m delighted to be back at Wasps,” he said. “It’s quite refreshing actually, I’ve said to a few of the Wasps boys that you don’t appreciate what you’ve got until you actually come out of that environment. That's one of the main things I learnt from my year away.
“The support from the coaching staffs, the medical staff, the fitness team, the work ethic of the players and of course the fans are all brilliant and that’s why I had no hesitation in coming back and becoming a Wasp again.”
Flutey’s versatility is an added bonus for both club and country and his ability to play at both 10 and 12 has not been overlooked by the Wasps management. However, the New Zealand born star is keen to stress where he feels he is at his most potent.
Versatility bonus for England
“I’ve spoken to the coaches about where they see me playing and they mentioned the opportunity of covering at 10 which I’m more than happy to do.
"I’ve played there for Wasps in the past when Danny Cipriani was out so it’s not something new to me, I do enjoy being first receiver and being a ball player so if needed I’m happy to be called upon.
“But I do see my best position at 12 – that’s the role I see myself fighting for in the England squad and if I can get game time at 12 with Wasps then I’ll be really happy and it will help me secure an international spot.”
On the subject of England, Flutey, with 13-caps to his name, harbours further ambitions on the international stage and feels that the current crop of players is the strongest since he’s been involved in the set-up.
“I managed to watch a few of the games from the summer tour to Australia and was very impressed,” he said. “Chris Ashton’s try was a massive highlight and I was pleased to see that the backs are now backing their own skills and starting to look for the extra pass and the extra space to get over the game line which is something that the coaches should take credit for.”
“We’ve got huge strength in depth throughout the squad which is fantastic. It keeps everyone on their toes knowing that if you’re not at your best someone will happily take your place – but that competition is healthy and it makes us all train that little bit harder.”