Harlequin Oscar Beard hopes he can take another step towards dream

Harlequins centre Oscar Beard hopes he can take another huge step towards fulfilling his dream of joining friend and team-mate Marcus Smith in the England team.

And being picked in the England A squad to face Australia A next week at the Twickenham Stoop is a big part of the plan as he tries to show head coach Steve Borthwick why he should look over the road for his next midfield pick.

Borthwick is planning to watch England A on Sunday 17th November as the next layer of rugby talent take to the field, with Beard one of several players who have lit up Premiership Rugby and are pushing hard for full honours.

And having had a taste of senior England training, as well as playing in the last England A match against Portugal earlier this year, the chance to run out on his home ground and make his case against the Aussies, could be a vital stepping stone in his rugby journey.

“I'm desperate to get capped and play for England,” said Beard, one of four Quins players picked for the A squad. “Having a taste of it (senior squad training), and seeing what it takes, what the best do day in, day out, has been massive.

“Obviously a good friend of mine is Marcus Smith and watching how he, doesn't change but what he does here and then with England, is really refreshing and nice to see.

“Obviously he's ripping it up and that’s brilliant. It’s intense but a privilege to be involved. That's what I want to strive for, and hopefully, fingers crossed, it can happen one day.

“I think England A is a good stepping stone to do that. I really enjoyed it, experiencing that international setup, with how an England team prepares.

“Obviously, I know it's the As, but the team England prepared for the game and the level of detail and intensity, I think, was really, really important.”

Joining Beard in the squad coached by Mark Mapletoft is Quins winger Cadan Murley, who scored a hat-trick of tries in the game against Portugal in February.

And after getting himself back to full fitness following a second hamstring tear, he has put three successive matches together for Quins with a try-scoring performance against Exeter to send him into camp with England A keen to put on a show in familiar surroundings.

“We feel like the Stoop is a big pitch,” said Murley. “There's a lot of space. So hopefully if I get the opportunity, I can get the ball in a bit of space to show up. I definitely feel more at home, comfortable at the Stoop, and feel like I know it.

“I think Quins’ fans will be there, so we're excited to run out in front of them. It's a place that's very fun, holds a very fun place in my heart. To run out there with a red rose on would be very special.”

Tickets starting at £25 for adults and £15 for kids are available here for England A v Australia A at the Twickenham Stoop on Sunday 17th November at 2pm.