WHEN Andy Gomarsall lines up for England in Alberta in three weeks time he can be forgiven for letting his thoughts stray 7,500 miles away.

The new Worcester scrum-half will be second in command behind team-mate Pat Sanderson when England kick off their Churchill Cup campaign in Canada against the hosts.

Gomarsall can bring up his quarter-century of caps over the course of the eight-day tournament -- but the former Gloucester number nine is already dreaming of a bigger prize.

He explained: "I've definitely got an eye on playing well for England in the Churchill Cup and then going and joining up with British Lions in New Zealand. That's huge.

"It's about me playing well for England and that will help. It will be unfortunate if there are injuries to the Lions but it has happened in the past.

"Martin Corry was called up for England and eventually went on the last Lions' tour and played two Test matches.

"Everyone on this trip is hoping they will be the player who will be called up and make a difference in New Zealand.

"It happened to me in 1995 when I was a 20-year-old. I was out on the A-team tour to Australia and I eventually got called out to the 1995 World Cup. It's happened before and touch wood it will happen again."

Gomarsall has spent much of the last ten years playing third fiddle to Kyran Bracken and Matt Dawson in the England pecking order.

Bracken's international retirement and Dawson's ageing legs may have given Gomarsall a chink of light in the England set- up, but the Worcester newcomer has plenty to prove in Canada.

The sands of time may be running out for Gomarsall too, but Warriors' fans will be pleased to learn the 30-year-old has lost none of his hunger on the domestic front either.

He said: "As soon as I come back from the tour I will go and have a meeting with all of the Worcester players.

"Then I'll have a holiday and then I'll look forward to getting back for pre-season training," added Gomarsall.

"It's a huge challenge going to Worcester, but it's the challenge I need in my life at this stage of my career.

"I think moving here will improve me as a player and certainly make me hungry and eager for success. I think it's a very positive change for me and I'm looking forward to it."

England won the inaugural Churchill Cup in 2003 only to miss out in last year's final against the New Zealand Maoris.

If they are successful against Canada on June 19 they will book a final date against the winners of the USA's clash with Argentina which kicks off in the same stadium three hours earlier.

And Sanderson said: "Every time you play for England it's a huge honour -- it's the reason you play. It's great to get back involved and lead the side and the next step is to make sure I do it well.

"We have a lot of organisation to do in a short space of time and it's a question of getting ourselves organised.

"It feels wonderful when you do play for your country. Not to be involved with England when you want to be is obviously disappointing, but you have to keep your focus and keep playing well."