European Player of the Year Goode dreaming of England recall

Alex Goode is still dreaming of an England recall after being named European Player of the Year and says Saracens must “come out throwing punches” in pursuit of another double.

Goode rose to the occasion once again on the big stage as Sarries fought back to beat Leinster in a ferocious European Champions Cup final at St James’ Park on Saturday.

The full-back has not played for his country since November 2016 and Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall is certainly not alone in being staggered that the 31-year-old has been overlooked by Eddie Jones.

Goode has not given up hope of adding to his 21 caps with the Rugby World Cup on the horizon after playing his part in a 20-10 victory in Newcastle that saw the London club crowned champions of Europe for a third time in four years.

He told Omnisport: “It would be a dream to play for England again, I love playing for my country, it was always a dream and the pinnacle of my career.

“Right now all I can do is focus on my own form. I’m over the moon about winning with this club, it’s a club I’ve always been at and the only club I know, it’s a special place for me and my family and I love it.”

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McCall’s men won every Champions Cup match this season to dethrone Leinster and Goode is hungry for a repeat of a European and Premiership double they achieved three years ago.

He added: “I think we know we can build from this, we’ve got a game against Worcester and then the semi-final. We’ve got to make sure we prepare well and turn up, we know whoever we play will be coming at us from all directions.

“We can’t rest on our laurels, it’s part of being a Premiership player that [when you] win something, you’ve got to go back to the grind and make sure you prepare unbelievably well and you come out throwing punches.”

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