George 'Chutes' into reckoning

The durable Leicester hooker though will line up at Stade Velodrome tomorrow night as one of an elite 30-strong group entrusted with England's Webb Ellis Trophy defence.

It has been a long journey for Chuter, whose Test debut in Australia last year came just days before his 30th birthday.

But a powerful performance in England's final World Cup warm-up game against France tomorrow could see him grasp pole position for the tournament opener against the United States on September 8.

And his current position is in stark contrast to events almost four years ago as England conquered the rugby world at Sydney's Telstra Stadium.

He said: "I remember being selected on the bench for Leicester against Rotherham in a Premiership match at Millmoor.

"We weren't allowed to watch the World Cup final (earlier in the day) because the management decided it would be detrimental to our focus for the Rotherham game.

"We drove up to Rotherham on the bus, kicked off at about seven o'clock in front of about 1500 people, and I think we won something like 24-14 in a dour game."

By his own admission, Chuter was "nowhere near" England's 1999 and 2003 World Cup squads.

At least he has made it this time around, but he also knows there will be strong challenges for the number two shirt mounted by incumbent Mark Regan and Bath's Lee Mears.

Chuter added: "I understand there are three of us in the squad, and three into two doesn't go.

"Lee Mears has every much of a right as me to have a go in the team.

"Ronnie (Regan) has been around quite a long time, and having made himself available for England again, it's testament to him how hard he has worked. He is here on merit.

"He wants to play as much as me and 'Mearsy.' He has got experience on his side as well, and at the moment he is in possession, so it's down to me to put the pressure on him.

"Hooker is one of those positions where there are three of us, and only two positions up for grabs.

"It is going to be competitive, but it is a specialist position and you need that competition to keep everyone on their toes."

England lost by a point to France in Marseille four years ago - it ended a run of 14 successive victories against all opposition - and they are acutely aware only Argentina have ever toppled the French at Stade Velodrome.